After games with the top two teams in Regional 1 North East, both Penrith and Kendal can now prepare for clashes with two of the league’s strugglers.
Penrith suffered their biggest-ever defeat at leaders Heath last week going down 115-5 while Kendal were much more competitive against second-placed Alnwick, going under 18-14 at home to Alnwick.
This weekend, Penrith travel to York, who are next to bottom and eight points behind the Cumbrians.
The side immediately above York are Middlesbrough and they are the visitors to Mint Bridge.
Penrith would be shell-shocked after that heavy reversal against an impressive Heath side and will want to get it out of their system with a good performance at York.
Kendal are immediately above Penrith in the table, two points better off, and both Cumbrian clubs probably need two or three good wins to keep them away from any threat of relegation.
In Regional 2 North it’s another of those weeks when all four Cumbrian sides have to travel.
Bottom of the table Wigton have the most daunting task, travelling to leaders Northern who have only lost once and are 12 points clear at the top.
Neighbours Aspatria have a big game in prospect at Durham City as the Black Reds battle to avoid a relegation play-off decider.
Aspatria are three points clear of their hosts with Guisborough also in the mix on the same number of points as Durham City.
After a great start to the season Keswick have slipped into the bottom half of the table but at seventh are still the best placed Cumbrian side.
They have a good game in prospect at West Hartlepool the team immediately above them in the table, two points better off.
Upper Eden, who are right behind Keswick in eighth place, travel to Guisborough where Aspatria hope they can do both themselves and the Black Reds a favour with a good win.
Only three games are scheduled in the Counties 1 Cumbria League but there is also a tie in the RFU Communities Cup North when St. Benedict’s entertain Cockermouth with Cieran Trainor the man in the middle.
Carlisle are back on top of the League and they will be well fancied to consolidate with a home game against Windermere (Martin Maughan in charge).
The other two games are Keswick 2nds v Hawcoat Park (Jimmy Watson) and Penrith 2nds v Ambleside (Martin Denvir).
Martin will also be in charge of the Sunday tie in the Women’s Junior Cup when Penrith Ladies entertain Stafford Ladies (2pm).
The weekend’s rugby action starts on Friday night with a Division 2 North game between Kendal 2nds and Kirkby Lonsdale Development (Elliot Walker, ko 7pm).
