With a better weather forecast there’s every chance of a full programme for the county’s rugby union clubs this weekend.
No games at all were played last week in the Regional 1 North East last week, which might have been a blessing for Penrith.
They were due to travel to leaders Heath and the postponement and the extra break between fixtures could give time for some of their injured players to regain fitness.
Ilkley, who are fifth in the table, are the visitors to Winters Park on Saturday and Penrith will be looking to start 2026 as they began the season – with a win.
Kendal are on the road to Sandal and Dan Bowman will have targeted this one as an away win, although there are only three places and four points between the two sides.
Sandal are tenth, with Kendal seventh but the Mint Bridge side have a healthier points difference – they are on -5 while their hosts have chalked-up minus 88.
All four Cumbrian sides are at home in Regional 2 North after just two of them managed to get in a game last week.
Wigton were beaten 57-17 at Percy Park while Upper Eden went down 32-21 at West Hartlepool.
This week Wigton are at home to Morpeth, still seeking their first League win of the season, but certainly giving their all as they learn the hard way. Ciaran Trainor will referee.
Upper Eden are at home to Durham City and a good win could hoist them into the top half of the table.
A home win would also help Aspatria who have Durham City as the club immediately above them by two points. Martin Maughan takes control.
But Aspatria have to win themselves and West Hartlepool will prove a tough nut to crack at Bower Park. Simon Barker has the whistle.
Keswick were second for a few weeks early in the season but have slipped to sixth and the team now sitting behind leaders Northern are Consett.
They are probably one of the most improved sides in the League and their visit to Davidson Park promises to be a hard-fought affair. Jonny Watson is the man in the middle.
Two games in Counties 1 Cumbria survived last Saturday’s ice and snow – Egremont beating Creighton 62-12 and Whitehaven successful 39-10 at Millom.
Hopefully there’s a full programme of seven games this weekend with the south of the county staging the stand-out fixture.
Leaders Hawcoat Park are at home to third-placed Kirkby Lonsdale who are only two points behind them. Martin Denvir is the man in charge.
In between those two teams, a point behind and a point ahead, are Carlisle and they have a city derby when they make the short trip to play Creighton. Danny Airey will referee.
The other games are: Ambleside v Egremont (Stephen Elliott); Whitehaven v Cockermouth (Paddy Loughran); Workington v Penrith 2nds (Mike Pate); Windermere v Keswick 2nds (Dan Shovelton); St Benedict’s v Millom (Lee Jones).
Among a handful of Sunday games, Kendal Ladies host Driffield Ladies (Martin Maughan) and Penrith Ladies entertain Novocastrians Ladies (Gerry Garvey).
