Penrith have signed two Cumbria county players ahead of their new National Three North season which starts on September 4.

David Barton, the Kirkby Lonsdale centre and Gary Hodgson, the Kendal back-row forward are preparing for the first game at Darlington Mowden Park.

Both played in a trial game on Saturday against St. Benedict’s when it was the first chance to see them in a match situation and also gave them the opportunity to blend with their new team mates.

Barton will be a useful centre both in attack and defence and is also able to switch to stand off if needs be.

It was plain to see why Gary Hodgson had such an outstanding season at Kendal last year and the former Workington and Aspatria forward looks a real quality player and as an out and out open-side will add another dimension to the Penrith back row.

The game was played over three half hour sessions and although the home side ran out 58 – 0 winners, which was expected due to the two sides’ league status, it was still a useful exercise.

Penrith won the first session 12 - 0 with what looked to be the first
choice starting line-up; took the second period 17 - 0 with largely the squad players and then ran away with the final session as St Benedict’s tired.

The try scorers were Phil Fell(2), Sandy Kerridge(2), Tom Mooney, David Barton, Gavin Cartmel, Mike Hawley, Tom Armstrong and Joe Nattrass.

As last season the tries were mainly spread about in the backs.

Everything went pretty well with the only problems being in the set scrummage, with Craig Rumney injured and out for at least a fortnight and Steve Dixon who had such an outstanding and influential season in 09/10 yet to be able to train the spotlight is falling on some of the less experienced front row players out of last seasons Development side.

Preparations move on this weekend with another trial game at Winters Park on Saturday against Northern out of the North East and they should provide rather a sterner test.

With a smaller squad being selected coach Stuart Connell should be nearer selecting his final XV.

Photographer DAVID NATTRASS homed in on the new men - Gary Hodgson (top) and David Barton (alongside) during the win over St. Benedict's.

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