SATURDAY 7th May : K/O 1.30pm at Windermere Rugby Club
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There a few “oddities” (or potential ones) about this weekend’s game

The most obvious is it is a Home game but we will not be at Mint Bridge. The late postponement of the original game a few weeks ago due to travel issues, and a big match (wedding) at Mint Bridge, means we travel to Windermere (a first visit for me). I can only think of one other game in the last twenty years where we have been at “Home” but not played on a Mint Bridge pitch – and even then the changing rooms were used, as due to a frozen pitch a Cumbria Cup game against Kirkby Lonsdale was played (and won well 59v19 at a time we struggling, with just 3 wins in 13) on the Queen Katherine School pitch on New Year’s Day 2011. Prior to that there were a few games in the 1950s (or possibly 1960s) where the First team played at the Grammar School (now Kirkbie Kendal ?) as the Mint Bridge pitch had a “Two Counties” game on in it (and was not in a state to host two games on the same day). I think there was a season in the 1960s where after a long run of weather related postponements, a game was switched to Barrow (Furness rugby club ?), but I can find no more details, so may be even that was postponed.

The second oddity is we are playing a League game in May – the last was away against Huddersfield on 14th May 2011.

A win is of course vital if we are to re-gain the third spot in the League, which may be required if we want to move up a level next season. If obtained, that will be an oddity as only once in the last ten seasons which finished (so ignoring the win at West Hartlepool in March 2020) have we won our last League game. Can’t remember it ? Think again - it was another “must win” to step up – and we did !

Another oddity, which may be a little more complex, but could potentially happen is Chris Park sits top of the points scoring chart this season with 113 but is not available this weekend, so Steven Nelson with 21 tries already this season (unless he scored one of the two “unknowns” against Stockport), could if he were to add (at least) two more pass Chris’ total. He has only failed to score in one game he has played since Christmas (he scored six in the first four games, before having a quiet spell without a try until Christmas).

Despite being second choice kicker this season Glen Weightman is on 94 points (Chris often seems to have missed the high scoring games) so a try or two plus a few conversions could see him also pass Chris total. So potentially our first choice kicker, who has kicked well this season, could end up with only the third top points score.

Going back to Steven, if he did it, it would not be the first time a top try scorer has out pointed the kickers, but it only seems to happen in seasons when kicking duties were shared. Garry Holmes 23 tries in 2013/14, put him ahead of Chris (105) and Andrew Boardley (104), whilst Lewis Boyd’s 31 tries in 2008/09, put him ahead of Dan Stephens (143) and Rob Aloe (98). Garry scored two more tries in 2014/15 but Glen ended the season 29 points ahead of him.

Against former club Carlisle, Glen reached 900 career points at Kendal , so could be joining Chris in the exclusive group in four figures next season.

Visitors Douglas, have not had the best of seasons, with three wins, Carlisle at Home, and a double over Bowden, plus draws against Altrincham Kersal and Glossop. Other points coming from losing bonus points against Vale of Lune and Birkenhead Park, plus three try scoring bonus points.

The maths are simple a win and we are third, a win with a bonus point and we are clear in third, a loss or draw and Waterloo get the third spot and we finish fourth

TEAM : The same pack as a fortnight ago against Carlisle, but a few changes behind the pack including a debut.

Joe Cook replaces Mark Carruthers on the wing, Danny Barker comes into the centre in place of Dan Lowther, whilst replacing experience with youth, McKenzie Cousins comes in at fullback, to make his debut, in place of Chris Park.

On the bench Second XV captain Dan Wilson, could make a his first first team appearance since the Ilkley game in April 2019. He is joined by Dane Blenkharn and Joe Fiddler

WEATHER : Cloudy but dry