Saturday, 14th February 2009
The Old Crocs from Halifax went to the top of league following this encounter at Warwick Road after snapping at the heels of Carlisle in the second half.
In the opening period of the game, after getting into their stride after a hesitant opening few minutes, the Cumbrians were by far the better team and ought to have had more points on the board for their efforts.
Stand off Glen Weightman had a chance to land a penalty on twenty two minutes but put it past the far post.
The only points of the first half came with a try from the young outside centre, Chris Harris just beyond the half hour mark and Weightman added the conversion.
Carlisle were comfortable with the thought that, after the break, they could improve their slender lead, but the visitors had other ideas.
It was Carlisle who went further in front on 46 minutes when left wing Barry Earl, touched down after a great move amongst the backs, with Weightman improving.
Crossleyans were shocked into action by this second reverse and gradually took the game to Carlisle, with the host side eventually succumbing to two goals and two penalties, leaving the city side to reflect on what should have been!
Overall, Carlisle just edged the domination stakes, and some of the visiting supporters acknowledged that Carlisle gave the game away at 14 – 20, allowing a return to the top perch for the Crocs.
The Carlisle XV v Old Crossleyans
15 Stephane Helies
14 Ben Blain (Ross Olneyy
13 Chris Harris
12 Liam Nicholls
11 Barry Earl
10 Glen Weightman
9 George Graham (Ben Blain)
1 Steve Stamper
2 Tom Graham
3 Martin McGimpsey (Mark Allan)
4 Aidan Day
5 Nigel Arismandez (Gareth Wylie)
6 Bobby Sherlock
7 Matt Charters
8 Lee Brumpton
Images from the match
