By Robert Haile

Cumbria’s rugby union sides return to action after a weeklong break or cup games.

In Regional 1 North West Rossendale closed the gap to the top two with a 17-34 win at Kendal on Saturday, September 30, as Blackburn remained top with a 37-5 win against Wirral and Macclesfield won 38-17 at home to Northwich.

At the opposite end of the table Penrith moved off the bottom with a 19-14 win at home to Sandbach, Stockport lost 26-34 at home to Manchester and Anselmians were beaten 13-14 by Leek.

After a break in the fixtures the sides return to action on Saturday, October 14, with Kendal heading to Leek and Penrith facing a tough trip to Rossendale.

League leaders Blackburn host Anselmians as Macclesfield travel to Sandbach, Northwich face Stockport and Wirral play Manchester.

In Regional 2 North Aspatria made it two wins from two with a 35-17 victory over Keswick on Saturday, September 30, while Upper Eden suffered a 32-14 defeat at Middlesbrough.

Durham City moved into second with a 17-10 win at home to Consett as West Hartlepool lost 22-27 against Stockton in the later games Cockermouth were beaten 50-12 by Northern and Percy Park continued their unbeaten run with a 49-16 win against Morpeth.

Percy Park will be looking to continue their winning run at Consett on Saturday, October 14, while Durham City travel to West Hartlepool.

There is a third derby in a row for Aspatria as they head to Upper Eden while Cockermouth are on the road to Stockton.

In the later kickoffs Keswick host Northern and Morpeth play Middlesbrough.

The top four in Regional 2 North West are separated by four points with table topping Bowden leading the way with a 32-16 win over Burnage on Saturday, September 30, a point further back second placed Firwood Waterloo beat Vale of Lune 27-3 as third placed Crewe & Nantwich won 31-12 aginst Altrincham Kersal and Birkenhead Park sit fourth after a 41-20 victory over Winnington Park.

Kirkby Lonsdale lost 17-25 at home to Liverpool St Helens as Douglas (I.O.M) picked up their first win with a 19-0 victory over Whitchurch to lift them off the bottom of the table.

Bowden face top four opposition at Birkenhead Park on Saturday, October 14, as Firwood Waterloo travel to Whitchurch and Crewe & Nantwich head to Burnage.

In the mid-table battle Altrincham Kersal host Douglas (I.O.M) while Kirkby Lonsdale make the trip to Vale of Lune and Winnington Park face Liverpool St Helens.

In the Cumbria League Penrith 2nd won 35-31 under the lights at home to Wigton on Friday, September 29.

On Saturday leaders Carlisle traveled to Egremont and came away with a 15-24 win while Hawcoat Park awarded the match to St Benedicts and Workington did the same giving Whitehaven the game.

At the bottom Keswick 2nd lost 15-6 at Millom while Windermere were beaten 10-17 by Creighton.

Leaders Carlisle face fellow north Cumbrian side Creighton on Saturday, October 14, as St Benedicts head to Egremont and Aspatria 2nd host Workington.

Whitehaven welcome Keswick 2nd, Wigton play Penrith 2nd and Windermere take on Millom.