Anyone who saw the game at Kirkby earlier in the season, would not be surprised one team was fighting at the bottom of the table, and the other would be safe in mid-table, what would surprise them was which was which. Kirkby rarely come out second best on their own ground, but that afternoon it was a comfortable win for the visitors (although it should have been more of one). The previous week they had needed a try in injury time to win at Wilmslow, and in the following weeks were well beaten at Ilkley, then reports suggest were in trouble at Vale, before a serious injury forced a early end to the game.
Since then they have added six wins, including an impressive away victory at Harrogate and at home against Rossendale, and were unbeaten at home until last weekend, where the size of the loss was probably a bigger shock than some of their wins. They currently sit in eighth, 15 points better off than us.
It is a changed team from that game, and also from the game at the start of the season. The back division sees only one change from our opening encounter, with Tom Pickthall having to move to outside half in place of the injured Mike Fearon, with Ryan Terry coming into the centre. In the pack only one player starts in the same place, with two others in changed positions. There is no return to Kendal for Dave Barton, James Thompson or Gareth Gore (who played last week before getting dismissed with a Blaydon player for fighting)
TEAM : The new coaches keep faith with the team who beat Wilmslow last week, so Glen Weightman starts on the bench and Dini Noyo in the centre. The only changes sees Mark Irving return after suspension, with try scorer Jack Lashey moving to the bench, whilst Ross McKay replaces Liam Hayton, who plays for the Development team.
WEATHER : Depends on who you believe – the MetOffice is warning of snow – but their website also suggests it should stay dry for part of the game and temperatures will be above freezing – although feeling a lot colder