It’s back to league rugby tomorrow when the various Cumbrian clubs return to competitive mode and hope the festivities haven’t taken too much toll on fitness.

Carlisle have a handsome lead at the top of North One West and have every incentive for a big performance to launch their 2019 programme.

They host Douglas, one of only two teams to beat them in the first-half of the season in the league, who are lying in third place.

That was back in the third match of the season on the Isle of Man when Carlisle went down 28-24.

Interestingly, although they are 14 points behind Carlisle and have lost five of their 14 league matches, they have the best defensive record in North One West.

They have only conceded 206 points, while leaders Carlisle have had 264 scored against them and second-placed Stockport have shipped 295.

Carlisle will be looking to add to that low tally and continue to improve their position at the head of affairs.

Second-placed Stockport, 13 points adrift, will expect to launch 2019 with a win as they host Broughton Park who are struggling, trying to avoid the third relegation place.

Already doomed for a quick return to the level below are Anselmians and De La Salle.

There was a mixed bag for Penrith in the first-half of the season as they finished seven points off the promotion play-off place, yet just six points above the final relegation place.

Improved away form is the key to Penrith’s progress over the second-half of the season and there’s no better way to prove they have the mental attitude to do that than in the first game of 2019 at Manchester.

The fallen giants are three points behind Penrith in mid-table, but only three points clear of third bottom Burnage.

For any amount of clubs in North One West, a good second-half of the season can see them challenge for a play-off place or, conversely, a dismal second half could push them into a survival fight.

The only difference between Manchester and Penrith is that the Cumbrians have 11 bonus points to the city side’s eight from seven wins and seven defeats each.

In Cumbria League One, Keswick set the pace and look strong favourites to take the title.

They have a nine-point lead over Aspatria and are 10 ahead of Cockermouth, while they restart tomorrow at fourth-placed Wigton who are a disappointing 18 points off the pace.

Aspatria host Upper Eden, who are bottom of the league; Cockermouth entertain improved Hawcoat Park, while there’s a west Cumbrian derby between St Benedict’s and Whitehaven.

In Cumbria League Two, leaders Silloth restart at struggling Wigton Wanderers while their nearest rivals, Workington, entertain Egremont.

Creighton are at home to Furness while Carlisle Crusaders travel south to take on Millom. Aspatria Eagles v Moresby completes the programme.

There was some rugby over the Christmas and New Year period with Keswick and Penrith meeting twice.

In the first game at Winters Park, Penrith were 49-7 winners with tries from James Reynolds (2), Tony Lawless, Callum Fawcett, Jonny Wills, Isaac Butterworth, Arran Pamphilion, Ryan Hunter and Lee Chapman. Lawless and Chapman converted one each.

The Keswick points came from a penalty try.

The return on New Year’s Day at Keswick was for the Firpress Trophy and, this time, it was much closer with Penrith eventually coming out on top 12-10.

The early minutes were spent in the Penrith half of the field and, after sustained attack, Keswick went ahead with an unconverted try by Grant Thompson.

Keswick soon went close when the ball was held up over the Penrith line. But when they ran the ball through the backs for a final pass to Adrian Holme, he stepped inside two defenders to score with a Chris Ashton-style flourish.

The first 20 minutes had been contested by senior members of the squads, some with sons appearing later in the game.

Th final play of the first quarter saw a good run through centre field by the Penrith backs for Robbie Phillipson to score a try under the posts, converted by Kyle Ryder.

The change in players saw another good attack by Keswick but it ended on the Penrith 22 when the ball was stripped in a tackle.

From there, a 60-metre dash by Dan Morland resulted in an unconverted try on 28 minutes for Penrith to take the lead, 12-10.

That was the way it stayed to the finish, although both sides ran the ball as much as they could.

The nearest either side came to scoring was when Penrith’s Henry Hadfield evaded a few tackles in running 55 metres to the posts, where he dropped the ball instead of touching it down.

Man-of-the-Match was Penrith back-row Josh Dowson, whose father Steve had played some 600 games for Keswick.

After the game, Keswick chairman Trevor Keough presented the Firpress Trophy to Penrith’s chairman Geoff Matthews.

The raffle for Amy’s Care was a success, raising £750 to add to the money raised in December, making the overall total from Keswick Rugby Club in the region of £3,000.