Carlisle Rugby Club and Penrith will both expect to consolidate their positions in North One West tomorrow. They have matches against the bottom two when the biggest threat might lie in their own perceived complacency.

Carlisle, who were held 10-10 at Broughton Park last weekend to see their lead at the top cut to a still comfortable 12 points, host next bottom Anselmians.

In an even worse position are De La Salle who have not won a game all season and, after 16 games, only have five bonus points to show for their efforts.

They entertain Penrith, who will be a little wary of their trip to Salford after their hosts put up a decent effort at Winters Park earlier in the season.

It might also be significant that, although Penrith now lie seventh in the table, seven points off the last relegation place, only De La Salle have conceded more points.

That recent battering at Manchester wrecked Penrith’s points against column and it is now 506 with De La Salle the only club with a worse record, conceding 648.

Last week, Anselmians lost 40-17 at home to Stockport while De La Salle went down 41-0 at Birkenhead Park.

Carlisle player-coach Matt Shields will be looking for a positive response from his players after a hugely disappointing performance at Broughton Park.

That low-scoring draw meant the gap to second place narrowed by three points, and all the chasing pack secured wins.

Despite the 12-point lead for Carlisle, it really is a competitive league and, from second to third bottom, there are just 15 points in it.

In the bottom half of the table, there are only three points between Warrington (8th) and Burnage (12th).

It’s quite possible that a side will go down having scored 50 or more points this season.

While there was much disappointment in the Carlisle display on Saturday, there was also a nod of approval for the way Broughton Park had shown great resolve in their fight to get clear of the relegation zone.

After no points in the first half, the hosts went ahead with a converted try, which was cancelled out by a try from Andy Glendinning, improved by Grant Connon.

A penalty from Connon might have won it for Carlisle but a late penalty for the hosts gave them a deserved draw.

Penrith coach Dave Preston needed a response after their pasting at Manchester and he got it with a welcome 29-19 win at home to Firwood Waterloo.

It was a hard-fought, well-earned victory against a big strong Waterloo side and was more than welcome after three successive defeats saw them just three points above the relegation zone.

Ryan Lee, Adam Howe and Lee Chapman scored first-half tries to help Penrith into a 17-14 advantage against the wind by the break.

By the time the visitors scored their third try near the end, Penrith had gone clear with further tries by Will Morgan and Jay Rossi.

Complacency should not be a concern for Penrith tomorrow. It will be more a question of them working out how to win on their travels.

In Cumbria League One, the biggest disappointment has been Wigton’s form.

They now face a battle a week tomorrow to make sure of finishing fourth, a position they would have comfortably expected to occupy before a ball was kicked.

Whitehaven, who have made strong progress after a slow start, have the toughest test at home to leaders Keswick but Wigton need to show their commitment to the cause with a good win over Hawcoat Park.

On Saturday, the Greens suffered a painful 27-19 defeat at bottom side Upper Eden to leave them clinging onto fourth spot.

To add to that disappointment, Wigton Wanderers could not get out a side to travel the short distance to Carlisle Crusaders for a Cumbria League Two clash. Worrying times at Lowmoor Road?

Keswick avenged their only league defeat at St. Benedict’s with a comprehensive 68-0 win over the Whitehaven side at Davidson Park to maintain an eight-point lead over Aspatria.

Speedy winger Ryan Weir helped himself to five tries with the other touchdowns coming from James Benson (2), Ollie McPherson (2), Christian Sellars, Andy Wallace and Andy Muir.

Aspatria picked up their bonus-point win from a 31-14 win at Hawcoat Park.

Although they had the try bonus-point wrapped up by half-time, it was Hawcoat Park who started and finished the game on top but at other times, crucially, failed to capitalise when excellent approach work put them close to the try line.

Phil Dixon, the outstanding Jack Clegg, Graham Andrews and Gethin Roberts scored first-half tries for the Black Reds as they led 24-7 at the break. Their only score of the second half was a try from Greg Dickinson which Clegg converted – his third successful kick.

Silloth and Workington continue to dominate Cumbria League Two and their clash at the Ellis is the climax to the season in April.

Carlisle Cougars slipped to a 31-10 loss to league leaders Crewe and Nantwich Ladies at Warwick Road on Sunday.

Ash Hendrie and Hannah Wilkinson scored for the Carlisle Ladies. The result saw them drop to third in the table.

Their next game is at home to Broughton Park on Sunday, January 27.