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Cougars 36 v Darlington 5

 

29th March 2009

The Cougars claimed their fifth league match victory at the weekend with a comprehensive win over visitors Darlington. The away leg of the meeting back in dreary, cold November was a close run thing, seeing the North East outfit claim a 15-5 win. However, it seems the two month gap in the league fixtures did well to whet the home side’s appetite as the Cumbrian side came out of the blocks with a vengeance.

The first points of the match went to the Cougars only minutes after the kick off courtesy of Captain and prop Lucy Meadley who crashed her way through the Darlington defence to touchdown in the far left.  A second try should have come sooner for the home side, but they made hard work of it with one too many forward phases, often resulting in turn over balls. The visitors had an undeniable physical advantage over Carlisle, but their complacent defence and clumsy handling accounted for their inability to capitalise fully on this. 

Carlisle continued to threaten a try, with some fantastic break away runs from inside centre Laura Cunningham, who ran half the pitch but was denied the last two metres as a desperate Darlington hastily regrouped on their try line. Similarly, some great reactionary play from hooker Sarah Burns who collected the overthrows at line outs clinically and fought her way up the pitch, only to be denied the last few steps over the try line. A third attempt proved the more successful, as Meadley stripped the ball out of an attacking maul, the last phase of a relentless attack on the visitors and managed to make the last two metres the others had been denied. Fly half Lisa Ritchie added with the conversion

Darlington looked like they might come back at the restart when the ball got out to their wing who was tackled by full back Simone Lynne just before the try line but not before the pop up to her supporting runner who finished it off with the dive over the try line. A lengthy battle for territory was slogged out in the midfield until Carlisle slowly shifted the visitors back into their half and claimed a penalty scrum under the sticks. After a couple of hard won forward phases, quick ball out to the backs sent straight along the line saw debut winger Jenny Royston (Player’s Player) steam up the touchline, narrowly missing the tackle into touch to score in the corner. Ritchie’s boot further boosted the points board and closed the first half.

After the break, the Cougars continued to dominate territory and test the Darlington defence. The rugby from both sides became more aggressive, with each side competing meaningfully for the ball at each breakdown and particularly in the line outs, where flanker Belinda Lloyd did well to steal a number of their throw ins. The fourth try for Carlisle came after a break away run from Cunningham up the left side of the pitch who popped the ball back inside to support runner Sarah Elsy who touched down just left of the posts. Ritchie continued to add.

The Cougars began to organise their attacking strategy better, with ball being shipped out to the pacy backs must faster to exploit their advantage fully. A midfield scrum just inside the opposition half began the fifth foray over the Darlington try line, with a pick go from the No. 8 that drew the defence back in and left an overlap on the wing for Royston to score her second try in the far right hand corner.

The Cougars didn’t ease off as the clock counted down, even though the match was all but won. A final try came after a rattled Darlington struggled to stave off the unremitting pounding from the Cougar attack which eventually opened up a gap just under their posts that winger Steph Musgrave dived though to score. Ritchie converted to add the final points of the match.

Carlisle move to third place in the league after the win and are looking forward to carrying this victory over into their next home league match against Ormskirk Sunday 5th April, k.o. 2.30pm. All support welcomed! If you wish to find out more about the Cougars please call 07912110785.

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Rugby Camp at Kirkby Lonsdale

 

27TH – 31ST JULY 2009

Details are available of a rugby camp to be held at Kirkby Lonsdale for the duration of the above dates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The camp is for children in the age group 5 – 16 years.

Full details and application form can be found on the PDF below.

Details and application form

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Carlisle 28 v Driffield 31

Saturday, 28th March 2009

A bit like “after the Lord Mayor’s Show”!  This was a game Carlisle were probably expected to win and what’s more they should have won it, albeit that for most of the match, they played with apparent  abandon.

Following the finesse of last week when they overcame Aspatria in fine style, Carlisle were far from fluent or efficient in their play for most of the game.  It was all the more frustrating because for long periods they had the Driffield defence camped on the line, and should have added at least three more tries that would have given them the league points.

As early as the opening minute, full back Ben Blain took a nasty knock trying to recover a “hospital pass”, the first of several during the game. Driffield obviously took note of this weakness in the Carlisle play because most of their success came from Carlisle frailties rather than their own craft!

However, it was Carlisle who fired the open shots when flanker Matt Charters touched down following a good break by scrum half George Graham.  Stand off, Glen Weightman added the conversion points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the quarter hour mark Driffield pulled level when open side flanker Tom Wright touched down with centre Clayton Masina converting.  Within minutes Weightman regained the initiative for him mates with a penalty but this was short lived when left wing Alistair McLaren edged the visitors in front with a well taken try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weightman added two further penalties giving Carlisle a four point advantage at the break and it was obvious at that point that the Warwick Road team would have to work doubly hard in the second period to retain any momentum

 Martin McGimpsey replaced Mark Allan at prop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Driffield shocked Carlisle with a try three minutes into the second period and from that point on the Yorkshiremen were always in the lead.  The try shocked Carlisle into a determined assault on the guests’ line.  Dominating the set scrums, Carlisle forced Driffield back time and again, but rather than keep possession in the pack, their best weapon, they chose flowery passes to the backs, and this was their undoing.  A wild pass across the front of the posts was intercepted and McLaren snatched possession and raced the length of the field to score, allowing Masina to increase his personal tally.

Midway through the half, winger Stephane Helies was brought down as he broke up field.  He was unable to continue and left the field with a possible broken shoulder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Driffield lost their tight head prop, Paul Dervey, on sixty seven minutes, thanks to a yellow card and left wing Tom Armstrong reduced the arrears with a try out wide.  Carlisle scented they were back in with a chance at this point, but within a couple of minutes let Driffield help themselves to another converted try, full back Perkins being allowed the freedom of the field.

In the closing stages though, Carlisle mounted several promising attacks and just into added time scrum half George Graham tried with Weightman converting.  At 28 pts to 31 pts there was just an outside chance of stealing the game, but the referee’s watch beat them!

Not a very good day at the office!

The Carlisle XV that started:

15    Ben Blain (Stephane Helies)
14    Tom Armstrong
13    Chris Harris
12    Ross Olney
11    Stephane Helies (Matt Rogers)
10    Glen Weightman
9      George Graham
1      Steve Stamper Captain)
2      Tom Graham|
3      Mark Allan (Martin McGimpsey)
4      Nigel Arismandez
5      Aidan Day
6      Bobby Sherlock
7      Matt Charters
8      Lee Brumpton
16    Martin McGimpsey
17    Gareth Wylie
18    Matt Rogers (Gareth Wylie)

 

MEN OF THE MATCH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOINT RUNNERS UP:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Annual Presentation Dinner

A date for your diary  -  claim the date now  -  a night not to be missed is the annual players awards presentation dinner to be held in the Club on FRIDAY, 29TH MAY 2009 at 7.00 pm.

 

The ticket price has yet to be fixed but they will be limited – so keep an eye on the website and the Club noticeboard for details in due course.

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Under 15s Cheshire Tour

 

This year’s tour saw a trip down the M6 to Cheshire……….our hosts on Saturday were Chester Rugby Club.

Carlisle camped in the Chester 22 for most of the first half, but only turned pressure into points when Ewan’s maizy run saw him score under the posts, allowing Macca to convert.

Chester hit back within 2 minutes with a try in the corner which went unconverted.

Jordan Ribiero extended Carlisle’s lead with a great run from 35m, beating several opponents before scoring in the corner. Macca followed up with a great kick across the wind to leave the score at half time 14-5 to the tourists.

Chester came out strongly in the second half, scoring twice (one converted) to take the score to 17-14 in their favour half way through the half. It was then end-to-end stuff as Carlisle pressed for a winner, but our hosts held on for victory.

In a great game, all 25 of our squad had a run, acquitting themselves well, with Ben Fisher getting the nod for man of the match.

Sunday morning took us to Sandbach with several of the squad carrying injuries.

A strong-looking Sandbach team quickly pinned Carlisle back near their own line.

The pressure was absorbed however, and Carlisle were first on the score-board with a great forward try by Josh. Reliable as ever, Macca converted.

10 minutes later, Jordie “Cutie” Clement proved he is one of the fastest in the squad, with a 70m solo effort (including 2 grub kicks) to score in the corner. Sandbach replied 2 minutes later with a converted try to make the score 12-7 in Carlisle’s favour after 45 minutes.

Good forward work then allowed JT to score close in, Macca converting to m ake the score 19-7.

But Sandbach came back again, an unconverted try bringing the score to 19-12.

With 3 minutes left, a Macca penalty made the game safe at 22-12 to Carlisle.

Today’s man of the match – Alex Peart.

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Under 20’s Cumbria v Durham

Sunday, 22nd March 2009

Carlisle hosted the Cumbria U20 v Durham U20 match at their Warwick Road ground on Sunday, 22nd March 2009 when Cumbria ran out comfortable victors at 26 pts to 18 pts after an entertaining encounter.

The Cumbria team was captained by hooker, Tom Graham, and he was accompanied by several other Carlisle players who gave a good account of themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Carlisle 30 v Aspatria 15

Saturday, 21st March 2009

This twice postponed contest was played out at Warwick Road in perfect conditions.  Carlisle were anxious to avenge an early season defeat at Aspatria’s Bower Park, where some would say they deserved more from that game!

Safe from relegation this season (there is none) both teams were fighting for mid table respectability, giving them something to build on for the future.  Local derbies always have that little extra edge, and the game at Warwick Road was no exception, with parochial pride equally as important as the final result.

The Carlisle line up was only finalised shortly before the kick off after a fitness test for outside centre, Chris Harris, who has had a lingering shoulder problem. Fortunately for the city outfit he was declared fit, and subsequently played a prominent part in this comfortable win.

Aspatria too, had selection difficulties with hooker McDowell taking the field at stand off half, and it wasn’t long before he made an early mark on the game.  He landed a dropped goal from 35 yards as early as the second minute.  But, that early advantage was short lived.  From the restart, Carlisle went upfield to put the visiting defence under pressure in the right hand corner.  The forwards foraged successfully to retain possession, and after some good interchange among the backs, full back Ben Blain linked well and with a gaping hole in the Aspatria defence, bolted through to touch down left of the posts.  Stand off Glen Weightman converted.

Aspatria, although finding life tough in the set scrums, were more adept in loose play, and Carlisle certainly did not have it all their own way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scenting that it could be their day, the Carlisle backs were seemed determined to be incisive, something that has been lacking for much of the season.  Midway through the half, they again cut the Aspatria defence apart.  From just outside the twenty two, centre Chris Harris chipped the ball over the defence into the right hand corner with winger Stephane Helies and full back Blain hurtling forward in support, the latter managed his second touch down.  Weightman failed with the conversion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within five minutes Carlisle added another try when centre Chris Harris, having played an unselfish part in making the two earlier tries, helped himself to five points.  Weightman added a penalty just on the break to give his team a comfortable 20 pts to 3 pts cushion.

Carlisle had to fashion some changes at the break  -  prop Matt Shields (ankle knock) was replaced by Martin McGimpsey, with left wing Barry Earl (back) ceded his place to Tom Armstrong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Early in the second half Weightman added another penalty that seemed to spur Aspatria into action with defeat staring them in the face.  Number eight, Gary Hodgson claimed a couple of tries, the first converted by Clegg.

With eleven minutes remaining, Carlisle were a man down when skipper, Steve Stamper, had a ten minute rest in the bin! Despite this hiccup Carlisle kept their cool and flanker Matt Charters killed the game off with with a fine try between the posts – Weightman taking the tally to 30 pts with the conversion.

The Carlisle pack have been fairly solid throughout the season, but given the way the backs performed in this match, city supporters can only be left to wonder what might have been, if this successful back division had been fachioned together earlier in the season!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Saturday, Carlisle entertain Driffield in what will be last league game of the season at Warwick Road, before taking to the road for away games at Durham City and Billingham.

 

THE STARTING XV v ASPATRIA

15        Ben Blain
14        Stephane Helies
13        Chris Harris
12        Ross Olney
11        Barry Earl (Tom Armstrong)
10        Glen Weightman
9          George Graham
1          Steve Stamper (Captain)
2          Tom Graham
3          Matt Shields (Martin McGimpsey)
4          Nigel Arismandez
5          Aidan Day (Mark Allan)
6          Bobby Sherlock
7          Matt Charters
8          Lee Brumpton
16        Martin McGimpsey
17        Mark Allan
18        Tom Armstrong

 

MEN OF THE MATCH

1st  -    Ben Blain (picture above)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER NEWS FROM YESTERDAY

The Crusaders had a free week in the Candy League and the Hornets were due to entertain a Netherhall XV who cried off shortly before the match.

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Sandal 21 v Carlisle 8

Saturday, 14th March 2009

Although Carlisle had visited Sandal in years gone by, this was their first ever league encounter at Milnthorpe Green, where a gale force and swirling wind, made it difficult for players and spectators alike.  The hosts opted to play with the wind (as best they could) in the opening half.  The elements made sure that the outcome was always going to be a lottery, and although Sandal had the wind advantage in the opening half, Carlisle made life difficult for them with some stoic defending.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandal drew first blood after six minutes when they landed a penalty when Carlisle were penalised for being offside. Exchanges were even for a while and the visitors had the opportunity to equalise but a penalty awarded for holding on was missed by fly half Glen Weightman, before they went further in arrears to another penalty mid way through the half.

Then there followed heavy pressure on the Sandal line with Carlisle making strenuous efforts to gain a foothold in the game and they were rewarded on twenty five minutes when right wing, Dan Holmes touched down in the corner but with little chance of a conversion from the tight angle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandal came back at Carlisle and added a try to take them into the break with a 13 pts to 5 pts lead.  Carlisle had done enough to give them hope that, with the wind advantage, they would destablise the home defence by putting the ball over the top and keeping them buy in their own twenty two area.  But, it was not to be. Inexplicably, the Warwick Road men failed to do the obvious and for a while found themselves a man down when flanker, Matt Charters, was yellow carded for failing to release the ball.

Both sides did attempt to play rugby in difficult conditions but the only points of the second hald went to Sandal, with first a penalty and then a try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st XV v Sandal

15        Ben Blain
14        Dan Holmes
13        Chris Harris
12        Ross Olney (Matt Rogers)
11        Barry Earl
10        Glen Weightman
9          George Graham
1          Steve Stamper (captain)
2          Tom Graham
3          Martin McGimpsey
4          Aidan Day (Mark Allan)
5          Nigel Arismandez
6          Bobby Sherlock
7          Matt Charters
8          Lee Brumptoin
16        Mark Allan
17        Gareth Wylie
18        Matt Rogers

 

MAN OF THE MATCH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JOINT RUNNER’S UP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Under 15’s v Tynedale

 

A fine spring morning saws the arrival of  Tynedale, keen to avenge  the narrow defeat on their own ground in the run-up to Christmas.

The visitors started very positively with drive after drive pinning Carlisle in their own 22 for the first five minutes.

Carlisle were patient however, and when their chance came quick hands in the line saw Adam score, Macca converting.

Three minutes later, a similar move allowed Jordie C to score in the corner, Macca then made what turned out to be his best conversion of the day.

Midway through the half, quick thinking at a ruck saw Alex C clear on the blind side, running 40 meters to score under the posts, allowing Macca an easy conversion.

Just before half-time Jordan R drove through from close range to score, Macca converting to make the score at the interval 28-0.

Five minutes into the second half, a good pick-up by JT, well supported by quick hands from Tom Fisher released Dom to score, Macca converted again.

Credit to the visitors, who continued to play hard for their pride, getting two consolation tries ( both converted) in the latter stages of the game.

MOM Alex T.

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Hornets Dublin Tour

A great time was had in Dublin playing the teams of  Old Belvedere & Montpellier.

Dublin Tour team

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