"THE visit to Cleck went as expected," says Kendal Director of Rugby Chris Hayton.

"We would have accepted 23-9 in our favour before the match, but with hindsight we had chances which went begging and should have finished off three more opportunities.

"That is now history and we have a tasty fare for our supporters this week with the visit of Penrith.

"On the subject of food, some of the players' post-training diets have changed recently. On Thursday night at the club some members formed a 'pie club' where each week they ordered and sampled some of the locally produced pies from various butchers in the locality.

"This has now caught on with some players and instead of, or as well as, the pasta meal the club provides to aid recovery, they have a pie.

"I have not seen pies recommended as the most suitable food for sports people, but it appears to be doing them no obvious harm. The extra ballast provided is certainly not doing forwards Richard Harryman, Gareth Gore and Liam Hayton any harm as the scrum on Saturday was solid and we even had the rare event of a ball against the head.

"Something to be said for pie power. So seriously is the pie club followed that one member returning from holiday e-mailed his order from France.

"Derby games are always special and the revamped Penrith will be a crusty encounter. They have a new look back line with the veteran Steve Woods now at full-back to make way for ex-Orrell and Fylde half-back Paul Newton at No.10.

"Paul and Steve are very talented players and will provide direction and leadership to an already skillful backline.

"Earlier in the season Penrith struggled in the forwards but with ex-Kendal players Dave Preston, James Lund, Mark Bowman and Andrew Holcroft all now fit they are a different outfit.

"We have seen those players put in some fighting performances in a black and amber shirt so we know what they can do in a green one.

"Our own team is more or less full strength after a couple of injury scares on Saturday, so we know we have pace in the backs and strength in the pack. We have formulated a game plan to use both and have a couple of tricks up our sleeves to surprise them.

"It promises to be a derby to remember with both sides having everything to play for and local pride mixed in there as well. Put your order in now and be there to savour it on Saturday."