Despite the magnificent victory last week, the maths are little changed as a Lymm win this weekend if we fail to pick up points would mean they are uncatchable – the good news is they have Harrogate, who beat run away leaders Hull last weekend as their visitors, the bad news is our visitors are Blaydon, now in the play-off place and with only Kirkby at home and Vale away to face after this weekend, they will be keen to avoid any banana skins on their first visit to the new Mintbridge and first to Kendal since 2006, to secure a chance of a immediate return for a relegated team for a third season in a row. Blaydon have not lost to anyone outside the top four since the end of October, and rarely concede bonus points, although Ilkley got one three weeks ago, so there is a small bit of hope
TEAM : The team shows only two changes from last week, with Kris Bratton and Myles Harrop dropping out, which means Harrop will have to wait at least another week to make his 20th appearance of the season
Kirk Chettleburgh and Mark Irving will both make their 20th appearance of the season if they start, whilst Robbie Collinson passed that mark for the first time a fortnight ago.
Dan Shorrock who did well coming off the bench and scoring last week, comes in on the wing, whilst Mark Carruthers comes into the centre. Shorrock’s place on the bench is taken by Steven Nelson. So an all forward bench, but both Ben Dixon and Alistair Thompson, have occasionally filled a big numbered short.
WEATHER : the forecast is Cloudy but dry