WITH the rugby union season fast approaching, both Kirkby Lonsdale and Kendal warmed up with pre-season run outs on Saturday.

Kirkby travelled to Bradford & Bingley and eased to victory with a side that contained a number of new faces including Reece Thomlinson at 5, Jack Walker at 6, Matty Kaye at 9 and Chris Ramwell, returning from a spell at Vale of Lune, at 15 alongside a strong contingent from the development squad.

The home side play in North 1 East, one level below Kirkby, but are title contenders so provided good quality opposition.

Kirkby skipper Dave Barton broke the line with a typically powerful run down the left in the opening seconds and set up left wing Harry Huddleston for a try.

An unstoppable run from Scott Armstrong brought a second five pointer and two second half Ramwell tries underlined the visitors' dominance before a host of replacements entered the fray.

The home side took advantage to narrow the gap with some late consolation scores, but this was still a successful warm up for Kirkby who now look forward to entertaining Penrith at Underley Park on August 31 in the first round of the Cumbria Cup.

Kendal went down 45-0 at Blackburn, a side who are swapping leagues with the Mint Bridge outfit this season.

However, the scoreline was somewhat flattering for the home side against a Kendal line up much changed from the one which finished last season.

Kendal had the better start and had a chance to open the scoring only for Chris Park's penalty attempt to be caught by the strong crosswind.

Blackburn took the lead with their first real attack and added two more tries before Kendal's woes increased after both Robbie Collinson and Jack Lashley left the field with injuries.

The home side added a fourth try in first half injury time and though the second half was more even and there was no lack of effort from Kendal,Blackburn added three more tries.

Kendal will be looking for a marked improvement when they next take to the field in the

Cumbria Cup against Carlisle on August 31.

Windermere are also well into their preparations for the new season and have confirmed Martin Bateman as the club's new president.

A past captain of the club and coach of the Windermere Warriors Women's team, he was officially installed at the recent AGM.