The weather seriously interfered with Saturday’s league programme, meaning there was no action for a number of our local teams.

Penrith should have hosted Driffield in North One East’s match of the day but the Winters Park pitch failed an inspection after snow and frost.

Bridlington took advantage as their game at Bradford and Bingley was one of only two played in the league. They won 29-24 to move fourth in the table, between Driffield and Penrith as the Cumbrians dropped one place as a result.

In the only other game in North One East, Huddersfield YMCA just held-off the bottom side, Northern, 34-31 to move out of the relegation zone.

Just four points cover the top six teams in the league but things could change dramatically this weekend in the last fixtures of the year.

Penrith, who have been disappointing on the road so far yet imperious at home, travel to Alnwick the team who lie sixth in the table, but only four points behind leaders Morpeth and with a game in hand. They also have a game in hand on Penrith and are just a point behind.

The other key game will be at Driffield where Bridlington are the visitors, the pair separated by a point.

Leaders Morpeth travel to fourth bottom Dinnington while second-placed West Leeds are at fifth bottom Huddersfield YMCA.

In North One West, Carlisle were denied a long overdue home game when the Warwick Road pitch was declared unplayable for the visit of Firwood Waterloo.

Carlisle are six points off the drop zone and will complete their 2017 league fixtures on Saturday at Cumbrian neighbours St Benedict’s who remain rooted to the foot of the table in danger of being cut adrift.

The Mirehouse side did get in their fixture on Saturday at Blackburn where they went down to a 38-0 defeat.

With snow on the pitch and more falling during the match, it made holding on to the ball hard and this showed at times as it was spilt forward repeatedly.

Blackburn took the lead after only two minutes from a catch and drive as they powered over the line with Ed Sinclair claiming the touchdown. Leon Fifield converted.

Saints almost got in after a smart interception but some good cover prevented them from opening their account.

However, they did earn a penalty but the shot at goal was wide. At the other end, Fifield kicked a penalty for Blackburn.

The Cumbrians were put under a lot of pressure from the home side but brave, tenacious defence held out their hosts until the 31st minute. From a five-metre scrum, the home side got another shove on and Harry Pilkington dived through to score, with Fifield converting.

It stayed 17-0 at the break and the pattern was similar at the start of the second half with Saints’ defending really well and making the occasional break-out.

Blackburn’s pressure finally paid-off when Sean Hall sneaked in at the corner and Fifield landed a superb touchline conversion.

The bonus-point try came on 59 minutes when Rob Bramhall exploited a gap in the Saints’ defence to score. Fifield added the extras.

The final try of the game came on 68 minutes when Bramhall went over again. The metronome boot of Fifield added the extras.

Burn could have won this game by a greater margin but Saints defended well in the midfield to keep the score down.

Burnage beat Stockport 27-14, and Douglas (Isle of Man) were comfortable 42-5 winners against Altrincham Kersal in the only other games played.

In North Lancs/Cumbria, we featured the top game yesterday in which Aspatria beat Keswick 17-8 to leapfrog their rivals into top spot.

There was another game in Cumbria in which bottom side Hawcoat Park drew 18-18 with Aldwinians.

The only other game was at Bolton where the home side beat Tarleton 21-15 which will put them in good heart for the visit of Aspatria on Saturday.

Keswick, however, have a tough one in prospect too as they host fourth-placed Oldham – a team who can beat anyone on their day, but appear to be stronger at home than they are away.

Wigton’s game on Saturday should have been at Trafford MV but was a victim of the weather conditions.

If they are to be serious contenders for promotion, the Greens have to win Saturday’s home clash when they entertain third-placed De La Salle.

In the Cumbria League, three of the four scheduled games went ahead as planned, with the only casualty leaders Upper Eden at home to Cockermouth.

It meant that both Whitehaven and Furness went past them as they both enjoyed home victories.

Furness held-off a decent challenge by Silloth to win 36-17 while Whitehaven went top with a 36-7 home victory over Workington.

In the other game, Windermere were 27-5 winners at Millom.