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Morpeth 23 v Carlsle 13

North 1 East League
Saturday, 6th March 2010

RECOVERY MODE STALLS!

After three successive victories, all claimed in fine style, Carlisle travelled to the north east hoping to leap up the table and ease any threat of relegation. Complacent they were not, but they certainly looked less than convincing in what was was pretty mediocre stuff served up by two sides who both had survival at stake!  Apart from calling the shots in the opening ten minutes of the match, Carlisle rarely looked likely to trouble the opposing defence.

In fairness, their preparations were disrupted by injuries and unavailabilty of some players, but nevertheless there seemed to a  lack of imagination, particularly going forward.  It was not that the side lacked a supply of ball. but more the failure to be creative when the opportunities arose.

Fly half Glen Weightman had the chance to put Carlisle ahead as early as the second minute but failed to land a penalty.

Lee Tinnion, making his club debut on the right wing, had what seemed to be a perfectly good try denied by the referee.

Morpeth edged in front with a converted try mid way through the first half before visiting scrum half, George Graham, had to retire after aggravating an ankle injury.  Tim Hughes, back of a year of adventure in the Antipodes replaced him.

Morpeth added a penalty four minutes before the break and Weightman replied just on the whistle.  Half time at 10 pts to 3 pts.

Apart from brief spells, Morpeth ran the show in the second half and added a converted try and two penalties to take the game, but not before full Lewis Boyd linked well with Chris Harris who touched down with Weightman adding the extras.

SCORERS FOR CARLISLE:

TRY: Chris Harris.

CONVERSION: Glen Weightman.

PENALTIES: Glen Weightman (2)

THE STARTING XV:

15    Lewis Boyd
14    Dan Holmes
13    Chris Harris
12    Lee Askew
11    Lee Tinnion
10    Glen Weightman
9      George Graham (Tim Hughes)
1      Martin McGimpsey
2      Tom Graham (John Bowman)
3      Martin Kalinowski (Tom Graham)
4      Paul Halliday
5      Gary Graham
6      Dan Smithson (Olly Barker)
7      Bobby Sherlock (Captain)
8      Mark Barron
16    John Bowman
17    Olly Barker
18    Tim Hughes

PICTURES FROM THE MATCH:

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Old Brodleians 5 v Carlisle RFC 23

North 1 East
Saturday, 27th February 2010

The improvement in Carlisle form continued on the edge of Bronte country, and at a ground where, according to a 91 retired doctor who was at the game,  and used to play for Old Brodleians, home matches used to be controlled by a referee on horse back!  The headmaster of the local grammar school used to insist on officiating at all home games, and always in the saddle!

A wonderful story perhaps, but despite the obvious illustrious history of their hosts, Carlisle showed little sentiment for their hosts and set about a meaningful performance to further enhance their own Level 6 survival chances.  Having arrived at the ground, it was not hard to see why Brods have a relatively good home record.  The pitch had a slope from one side to the other with a probable drop of around 12′;  Brodleians are doubtless used to this little quirk, but it was of little value to them on Saturday, as Carlisle refused to be handicapped!

Fielding an unchanged starting line up from the previous week, Carlisle set about the game with purpose and style and soon had the opposing defence on the back foot. The pack put in a sterling performance throughout, with back row in particular putting on an eye catching show.  Flankers, Bobby Sherlock and Dan Smithson got through a lot of work, with Smithson now really in his stride after stepping up from Cumbria League rugby.  His endeavour is enormous, and he was always hungry for the ball, picking up and driving forward with menace.

Number eight Lee Brumpton, having what must be his longest run of uninterrupted matches without injury, was always in evidence and he capped a great game with a brace of tries.  Hooker, Tom Graham was always in the thick of it too, creating good advantage for his pack mates.

Carlisle got their first score after only three minutes.  They were awarded a scrum about five yards out from the home line, midway between oe right post and the touch line.    A hard drive gave them possession with scrum half Ben Blain shifting the ball right to his half back, and Weightman slipped over in the corner for five points but was unable to convert his effort.  Ten minutes later he added a penalty.

The home side had not seen a lot of the ball until then, but then came a spell when Carlisle were under some pressure to keep the opposing pack at bay.  Credit to Brods. they plugged away and managed a try (to be their only score of the day) in the right hand corner.

Brumpton got the first of his two tries on twenty four minutes and Weightman stretched the difference to ten points, and that lead held until the break.

Carlisle had to send on replacement back George Graham whilst, right wing, Olly Barker had a few stitches in a head wound after which he was able to resume.

The talking point during the break amongst the home supporters was about the quality of play Carlisle were serving up, and getting special mention were the skills of the Warwick Road scrum half, Ben Blain.  He had dictated the pattern of the game throughout the first half and his influence remained obvious for the remainder of the game.

Fifteen minutes into the second half the visitors freshened the pack up a little to maintain the impetus.  Tight prop, Martin Kalinowski came off, lock Martin McGimpsey moving from the second row, and with his place being taken by Paul Halliday.  The changes had little effect on the solid performance of the Carlisle effort.

Old Brodleians were determined to make a game of it and Carlisle were made to work hard for their victory.  They looked dangerous on the break but the solid home defence held firm for the most part.  On seventy minutes, Weightman added a penalty with seventy minutes gone, Brumpton getting his second (unconverted try on eighty minutes.

A satisfying third consecutive victory for the city men, and completing their third double too.   There is still a lot of work to do, but with eight games remaining, five of them at home, hopes are high for a respectable a finish.  So tight is the league that Carlisle remain just six points from third placed Hartlepool Rovers.
Rovers remain third, despite losing their last three matches. the first being against Carlisle.

Carlisle have to travel to Morpeth (next Saturday), Darlington (Easter Saturday, 3rd April) and Sandal (10th April).  The home sequence is 13th March (Old Crossleyans), 20th March (Percy Park), 27th March (Pontefract), 17th April (Driffield) and 24th April (Gateshead).

BEST OF THE BACKS (AND MAN OF THE MATCH):  Scrum half:   Ben Blain

PICK OF THE PACK:  Number eight: Lee Brumpton

SCORERS FOR CARLISLE:

Tries:                               Glen Weightman (1)   Lee Brumpton (2)

Conversions:                 Glen Weightman (1)

Penalties:                       Glen Weightman (2)

THE STARTING XV:

15    Lewis Boyd
14    Dan Holmes
13    Chris Harris
12    Barry Earl (George Graham) (Lee Brumpton)
11    Olly Barker
10    Glen Weightman
9      Ben Blain
1      Steve Stamper (captain)
2      Tom Graham
3      Martin Kalinowski (Martin McGimpsey)
4      Mark Barron
5      Martin McGimpsey (Paul Halliday)
6      Dan Smithson
7      Bobby Sherlock
8      Lee Brumpton (Gareth Wylie)
16    Gareth Lewis
17    Paul Halliday
18    George Graham

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Carlisle 42 v Ilkley 7

North 1 East League
Saturday, 20th February 2010

Having waited since early December for a game on home soil, the city side certainly looked good value as they turned over the visitors from Ilkley.  The previous week, both teams turned in what to some, were unexpected results, by defeating teams lying second and third in the league.  Carlisle won convincingly at Hartlepool Rovers, whilst Ilkley vanquished Billingham.

Therefore, the scene was set for an interesting dual, with both teams desperate for league points to retain level 6 status.  From the quality of rugby served up by both teams, it would be readily apparent to any neutral observer, that neither outfit deserved to be in the nether regions of the league.

Any worries about the state of the pitch after a heavy overnight frost, were quickly cast aside. Both the hosts and their guests tried to play some open running rugby, with Carlisle more than managing to convince that confidence had been rebuilt.  Their pack managed to battle for, and get sufficient ball for the backs to menace their opponents with plenty of open attacking play.

Carlisle did not have it all their own way though;  Ilkley showed sufficient grit to keep the Warwick Road defence under pressure on their own line on several occasions.  The defence battled well to repel some sustained assaults, leaking only one score just before the break.

Fly half Glen Weightman had the chance to open the home acount but only maaed to strike a penalty in front of the post onto the offside post!    Within a couple of minutes though, Ben Blain, favoured at scrum half over George Graham, darted over for a try following a scrum five yards out, but the fly half ha still not found his kicking range for the bonus points!

Carlisle continued to dominate, although they always had to be on their mettle when Ilkley got the ball, and could have been a greater danger if they had been served by a half decent set of backs!

Another try came on twelve minutes when the home pack drove over the line with skipper and loose head prop, Steve Stamper touching down  letting Weightman eventually findhis kicking boots.

Outside centre Chris Harris added a converted try on the half hour mark.  The remaining minutes of the first half were spent in rather more defence than  had been the case, and Ilkley and flanker Hamish Pratt touched down with former Creightonian full back, Pete Shanks, landing the conversion for his sides only other points of the game.

Shortly after the restart, Weightman stretched the advantage with another penalty.  Ilkley then went on the offensive and kept Carlisle penned back for a lengthy period, but the defence kept its nerve and the wall wan’t breached!

Quarter of an hour into the second period, Carlisle were forced into some changes.  Full back Lewis Boyd came off with a knee injury;  Blain moved to fifteen, George Graham coming on at scrum half.  Tight head prop, Martin Kalinowski retired too with Biff McGimpsey moving up from lock, allowing Paul Halliday from the bench to replace him.

Within minutes, Weightman added another penalty and from then on much of the match was spent midfield with the two packs slugging it out for supremecy.

In the closing four minutes of the match Carlisle added two well deserved tries.  Dan Holmes went up the left wing from well within his own half, offloaded to Olly Barker who was up in support with him, allowing him to touch down.

Scrum half Graham added his name to the try column just as the final whistle was due;  he kicked the ball through from halfway, and followed it through before scoring to the left of the sticks.

Weightman converted both.

In the end a comfortable scoreline, and apart from the welcome two league points, it helped to reduce the points differential substantially.

Carlisle should not get complacent though.  There is still much work to do, but with five of their remaining nine fixtures on home turf, the odds must be in their favour.

A special thank you to the guys of Ruggerpix.com who managed to get us out of a fix when gremlins got into the technology during Saturday’s match.

Next week they travel to Halifax to meet Old Brodleians.

PICK OF THE PACK: Dan Smithson.

BEST OF THE BACKS: Ben Blain.

SCORERS FOR CARLISLE:

Tries:

Ben Blain (1)
Steve Stamper (1)
Chris Harris (1)
Olly Barker (1)
George Graham (1)

Conversions:

Glen Weightman (4)

Penalties:

Glen Weightman (3)

THE STARTING XV:

15    Lewis Boyd (Ben Blain)
14    Dan Holmes
13    Chris Harris
12    Barry Earl
11    Olly Barker
10    Glen Weightman
9      Ben Blain (George Graham)
1      Steve Stamper (Captain)
2      Tom Graham (Graham idd)
3      Martin Kalinowski (Martin
McGimpsey)
4      Mark Barron
5      Martin McGimpsey (Paul Halliday)
6      Dan Smithson
7      Bobby Sherlock
8      Lee Brumpton
16    Paul Halliday
17    Graham Kidd
18    George Graham

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Hartlepool Rovers 10 v Carlisle 27

North 1 East League
Saturday, 13th February 2009

Carlisle travelled to the north east knowing that nothing less than a victory would do to help salvage their season that has been disappointing to date.  And, they did just that, in style too.

The Rovers had a fairly sound home record with only two defeats and despite this reverse they remain in third slot in the league.  The only disappointment from the outing is, that the Warwick Road should have amassed a greater points tally.  Still, hopefully this outing was the start of a renaissance!

The Friarage side were expecting an easy scalp and we brought down to earth with a bump.  On this display, any neutral would have been driven to the view that the respective league positions were actually the reverse of reality.  Never take it for granted that things will go your way, especially in this north east town where, in the past the locals voted for a monkey to be their elected mayor!

Watching the Rovers run out onto the field, and opponents would have been forgiven if they had been fazed by the size of the opposing pack  -  clearly they the had the benefit of at least a stone per man.  In the event that counted for nothing as Carlisle went about their task with purpose and skill, generally neutralising any threat that was posed.

The coaching staff at Carlisle had carried out major surgery (mainly positional) to their XV beforethis match, and it was quickly apparent that to their supporters, that any doubts they may have had about the line out, were quickly dissolved.

The pack was very solid wit the home team unable to cope with the strength and technique on offer.  Such was their combined contribution that is was hard to single out anyone for special praise, but pivot Lee Brumpton won the accolade because of his personal brace of tries that helped secure a victory that was good value for money, and one for which Hartlepool could have no complaint.

Despite this fine win, Carlisle still remain second bottom in their league, but only ten points behind the ‘Pool in third place.  With ten league games remaining, six of them at home, given the optimism that follows the result on Saturday, Carlisle should be able to rescue what has been a difficult season.

On Saturday, ther youthful back division was buoyed by the return of “old boy”, Lewis Boyd – not much more than a youth himself, but with some serious national league experience behind him at Fylde, and more recently at Kendal.  Boyd turned out at full back and was soon involved in the match.  Apoart from looking secure as the last line of defence, his upfield surges linking with the three quarters, instilled confidence in his colleagues.  What’s more his verbal motivation was being heeded by fellow backs and had good effect!

The Carlisle half backs generally shifted the ball well allowing the team to make ground.  Dan Holmes on the left wing, had his best game of the season and was unlucky not to grab himself a couple of tries he would have deserved.

But, the platform for this success was down to the effort put in by the pack, and they rarely looked troubled.  This despite the fact for twenty minutes they were down to fourteen men;  flanker Dan Smithson saw yellow for a handling offence in a ruck on twenty minutes and just as he returned, hooker Tom Graham was penalised for the same indiscretion.

Carlisle opened their account on thirteen minutes when fly half Glen Weightman slotted a penalty.

The only othe score in the first half came six minutes before the break, and a try for the hosts followed one of their rare forays into the Carlisle twenty two area.  They made a determined onslaught on the Carlisle line, and did manage a try.

After the rest period, and playing into a bitterly cold wind, Brumpton landed his first try on forty three minutes but Weightman missed the extras with the ball going wide.  Within four minutes, Hartlepool had restored their half time lead with an unconverted try, but that was to be their lot for the day.

Carlisle continued to dominate up front, and relief the Rovers front row might have got from the retiral of tight head prop, Martin Kalinowski, was short lived.  The recent recruit from the Cumbria League is still adjusting to life a few levels above what he is used to.  “Biff” McGimpsey came off the bench to replace him and keep up the pressure on the opposing front line.

At the midway point Weightman converted a second try from Brumpton, and within a couple of minutes, George Graham, an industrious scrum half added to the cause but his try was not improved.  In scoring, Graham took a knock and left the field to be replaced by that great all round team player, Ben Blain.  Blain has perhaps been a shade unfortunate in losing his place, and he quickly gave notice with his direct running and positive passing, that he is still very much a serious contender.

Carlisle continued to press and kept the home defence under regular pressure.  With a few minutes remaining, Smithson, who worked tirelessly throughout, was replaced by Adam Morrison.

Into injury time, Boyd surged evasively up field and offloaded to right winger Olly Barker to land the final try in the corner, with Weightman landing the conversion from the touch line.

Job done!  But, only for now.  There is a need to repeat the quality of this performance, and Carlisle have an early opportunity this coming Saturday.  They entertain Ilkley who are below then in the league, but if any one thinks it will be a push over, thinl again!  The Dalesmen turned over Billingham, a result that serves notice, that they too are going to fight to the end for survival.

SCORERS FOR CARLISLE:

Tries:

Lee Brumpton (2)
George Graham (1)
Olly Barker (1)

Conversions:

Glen Weightman (2)

Penalties:

Glen Weightman (1)

PICK OF THE PACK:

Lee Brumpton

BEST OF THE BACKS:

George Graham

THE STARTING TEAM:

15    Lewis Boyd
14    Dan Holmes
13    Chris Harris
12    Barry Earl
11    Dan Holmes
10    Glen Weightman
9      George Graham (Ben Blain)
1      Steve Stamper (Captain)
2      Tom Graham
3      Martin Kalinowskie (Martin McGimpsey)
4      Gary Graham
5      Mark Barron
6      Dan Smithson (Adam Morrison)
7      Bobby Sherlock
8      Lee Brumpton
16    Martin McGimpsey
17    Adam Morrison
18    Ben Blain

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Old Crossleyans 12 v Carlisle RFC 7

North 1 East League
Saturday, 6th February 2009

No Bonus for Carlisle from improved display
Carlisle travelled to Halifax determined to restart their season after a disappointing spell.  This rematch after the November game was declared void by the league, after front row irregularities by the Yorkshire side, was a game the city outfit deserved to win.

After the kick off and an initial flurry by the hosts, Carlisle took the game to the Old Crocs, with the visiting pack putting on a powerful display, one that should have brought them a greater return in the opening quarter of an hour.

Old Crocs were forced into stoic defence of their line and the mystery is, why did Carlisle not take more points from their effort.  There was much more purpose than of late.

Carlisle opened their account on seven minutes when pivot, Lee Brumpton, touched down just left of the posts and Glen Weightman converted.

Despite their early domination and the bonus of calling the opening shots, the visitors gradually slipped back into old habits, unable to retain ball, slack handling and passing.

The penalty count against them was mounting and they succumbed twice, on fourteen and twenty four minutes, when their frustration at being unable to maintain their momentum got the better of them.

At the break one point advantage was never going to be enough, and Carlisle had lost veteran centre Simon Little, who had been introduced in an endeavour to strengthen the midfield, with a hand injury that was beyond running repair.  It was shame really, because his strong running and unpredictably was causing confusion for the Old Crocs,

After the break, Carlisle had to withstand an onslaught from a home side, clearly frustrated that they had been unable to break down the Carlisle wall thus far (apart from the penalties).  The defence coped well but conceded two further penalties to put them on the back foot.

Carlisle gradually worked their way back into the game and for the last period it tool all the Crocs could muster to keep the visitors at bay.  Camped for lengthy periods on the line, Carlisle, promised much and delivered little!  Despite their best efforts they could not get ove the line; too many wrong options and indecision let them down.

Hooker Tom Graham got over the line between the posts to touch down, but was adjudged to have dropped the ball.  What a fillip seven points would have been at that stage!  But, for all the disappointment the lads continued to pressure the home side but had to be content with scoring the only try of the match.

Carlisle have eleven games left to save ther season and the same effort applied in the coming weeks could well be their saviour!

PICK OF THE PACK:

Dan Smithson

BEST OF THEBACKS:

George Graham (scrum half).

SCORERS:

Lee Brumpton (try).
Glen Weightman (conversion).

STARTING XV:

15    Chris Harris (Ben Blain)
14    Dan Holmes
13    Barry Earl
12    Simon Little (Chris Harris)
11    Olly Barker
1      Steve Stamper (Captain)
2      Tom Graham
3      Martin Kalinowski
4      Martin McGimpsey (Dan Smithson)
5      Gary Graham
6      Dan Smithson (Mark Barron)
7      Bobby Sherlock
8      Lee Brumpton
16    Mark Barron
17    Adam Morrison
18    Ben Blain

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Durham City 22 v Carlisle 7

North 1 East League
Saturday, 23rd January 2010

Definitely below par from Carlisle in this bottom of the table clash at Durham City for their first match since 12th December.

Under performing, as they did in this encounter, does not bode well for the city side who really are going to have to work hard to restore their fortunes and salvage what has been a disappointing season to date.

Rejuvenated after the enforced break due to the weather, they were not.  The first half performance was less than exhilarating, and had it not been for the poor goal kicking of the Durham fly half, they would have been further in arrears at the break.  As it was they were down by three tries, the first conceded in the opening minute, the second came five minutes later and the third at twenty three minutes.

Hapless would be too strong an adjective to describe the Carlisle game, but they looked disorganised and lacking in imagination during the opening period.  In general, what possession they had they wasted, and too often kicked it away when a more measured approach could well have produced results.

After the break, whatever coach Richard Metcalf had told his charges during the interval, there was a more structured approach to the game, and for the most part Durham were kept on the back foot with Carlisle working hard to try and atone for their first half effort.  However, despite several forays into their opponents twenty two area, they were unable to get a breakthrough despite challenging the line on a number of occasions.  When they did eventually get over it was in added time, (and Durham had already added another seven points) with young Chris Harris touching down wide out on the right after a gret approach engineered by Ben Blain who had drifted across from the left.  Glen Weightman added the conversion to give the final score a little respectability.

Meanwhile, other clubs at the wrong end of the table were winning, and putting added pressure on Carlisle.  So, for the visit of Gateshead this coming weekend there is some hard work to do.

Pick of the pack

Best of the backs

GEORGE GRAHAM – scrum half

POINTS SCORERS:

Try:        Chris Harris
Con:      Glen Weightman

THE STARTING XV:

15    Max Connon
14    Chris Harris
13    Jack Oddie (Lee Askew)
12    Dan Holmes
11    Ben Blain
10    Glen Weightman
9      George Graham
1      Steve Stamper (Captain)
2      Tom Graham (John Bowman)
3      Joe Anderson
4      Paul Halliday
5      Dan Smithson
6      Adam Morrison (Stuart Graham)

7      Bobby Sherlock
8      Lee Brumpton
16    John Bowman
17    Stuart Graham
18    Kee Askew

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Carlisle 6 v Billingham 35

North 1 East League
Saturday, 12th December 2009

It might have been a pleasant and crisp afternoon at Warwick Road, but the quality of the rugby served up by Carlisle was pretty dull and unimaginative.  Carlisle never really looked like giving themselves an early present of vitally needed league points against the leagues’s leading scorers.

The home side opened relatively brightly and fly half Glen Weightman landed a penalty for an offside offence in the opening minute of the game.

In the set pieces, the Carlisle pack were able to dominate and get an ample supply of the ball, but as has too often been the case in recent weeks, the lack of a sharp cutting edge on the final approach let them down time and again.

Billingham gradually worked their way into the game and opened their account with a penalty on thirteen minutes, quickly followed by a converted try a couple of minutes later.  Another penalty took it to thirteen points to six at the break after Weightman got his second kick.

Just before the break the city side were down to fourteen men when pivot Mark Barron, earned himself a place in the sin bin.

Within quarter of an hour of the restart, Billingham stunned their hosts with three tries, one of them converted.

Carlisle had one or two attacking spells but the visitors managed to keep their line intact.

Billingham sealed the game on seventy five minutes with their final try.

As a conseuqence of this performance, and wins by teams below them, Carlisle now find themselvers in the third relegation place in the league.  The league is still a tight one, and there is ample time to redeem the situation, but the lads really are going to have to put their game together.

Pick of the pack:

Best of the backs:

The starting XV:

15    Max Connon
14    Barry Earlk
13    Chris Harris
12    Ross Olney (Lee Askew)
11    Lee Askew (Jack Oddie)
10    Glen Weightman
9      Ben Blain
1      Steve Stamper C
2      Tom Graham (John Bowman)
3      Mart McGimpsey
4      Martin Grealish
5      Dan Smithson
6      Adam Morrison (Stuart Graham)
7      Bobby Sherlock
8      Mark Barron
16    John Bowman
17    Stuart Graham
18    Jack Oddie

MORE PICS FROM THE MATCH:

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Pontefract 24 v Carlisle 10

North 1 East League
Saturday, 5th December 2009

Carlisle really are going to have to tighten up their game and stop gifting the opposition an easy victory.  The match at Pontefract was there for the taking and the city side only have themselves to blame for letting this one slip from their grasp.

Overall, Carlisle were the more dominant side with ample possession and territorial advantage to have had the game sealed in their favour at the break.

A makeshift pack started the game.  Skipper, Steve Stamper was ill with flu as was lock Martin Grealish, who had to cry off overnight before the match.  Prop ‘Biff’ McGimpsey, also failed to make the journey, sufferring the effects of a back problem from the previous week.  Hooker Tom Graham moved out to prop to allow John Bowman to hook; Dan Smithson took over from Stamper.  None disappointed, but Smithson had to withdraw before the break with a back problem.  In fact, Bowman had a classy game, clearly anxious to impress and eager to carry the ball upfield.

Despite their early probing, Carlisle conceded a penalty on eight minutes but drew level within a couple minutes with acting captain, Glen Weightman slotting over.  They were the only points of the opening half, but Carlisle did enough to justify a lead, and the Liquorice Men could have had no complaints if they had turned round in arrears at the break.  It turned out though, that Carlisle were too benevolent and let the hosts in for a converted try just as the interval was dawning.

The worry for Carlisle has to be, spending a lot of time in the opposition twenty two area.  but failing to convert their superiority into points.  Being apparently nervous in their final approach work, they will have to learn to settle down, be less anxious, and more precise with the final pass!

After the break, there was still enough effort to suggest that they could claim the points, but again the story was much the same.  Pontefract had rare sorties into the Carlisle area, but on two occasions they made Carlisle pay with improved tries on sixty seven and seventy five minutes.  By now Carlisle had a mountain to climb with little time left in which to do it.

Just into added time, full back Max Connon, linked well with the backs and touched down at the posts for Weightman to convert.  Game up!

It could have been oh so different though – what with missed chances and three disallowed Carlisle tries by a referee who seemed more concerned with his own performance than the needs of the game!  No excuses though – Carlisle need only blame themselves for this needless defeat.

Best of the backs: Full back Max Connon and inside centre Dan Holmes (who nows starts a two week suspension after his recent dismissal at Old Crossleyans).

Pick of the pack:  Adam Morrison who had an outstanding game at eight and hooker John Bowman.

Points scorers:

Tries:    Max Connon (1)

Cons:    Glen Weightman (1)

Pens:    Glen Weightman (1)

Starting XV:

15    Max Connon
14    Lee Askew (Barry Earl)
13    Chris Harris)
12    Dan Holmes
11    Ben Blain
10    Glen Weightman (C)
9      George Graham
1      Dan Smithson (Joe Anderson)
2      John Bowman
3      Tom Graham
4      Adam Morrison
5      Mark Barron
6      Adam Morrison
7      Bobby Sherlock
8      Lee Brumpton (Stuart Graham)
16    Joe Anderson
17    Stuart Graham
18    Barry Earl

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Percy Park 24 v Carlisle 12

North 1 East League

Saturday, 28th November 2009

Carlisle contrived to lose a game that they should have won comfortably!  But then the whole day got off to a bad start; the bus failed to arrive, and cars had to be hurriedly assembled to get over to the north east in time for kick off.  Not that it is in any way an excuse, but it does not help!

PP, bouyed by their victory over Billingham on their previous outing, opened by putting their guests on the back foot in the open minutes, but from then on in the opening half, Carlisle were in total control, and the amazing thing is, they failed to turn their domination into more points.

Hooker, Tom Graham was industrious throughout the game and menaced the PP defence constantly.   He got an early try in the fifth minute but Glen Weightman was unable to improve.

Although Carlisle seemed to have control of proceedings, they persisted in giving away too many penalties, and within three minutes of the try the home side slotted their first penalty and on the quarter hour park, took the lead with their second.

A couple of minutes later, Weightman had the chance to reclaim the lead with a penalty but it was not to be!

Shortly before the break, Carlisle, who had been pressing purposefully, were awarded a 5 yard scrum and Weightman grabbed a try and converted to give his team a slender 9 pts to 12 pts lead at the interval.

There was a feeling around the ground that it was only a matter of time before Carlisle increased their hold on the game but, inexplicably, they allowed PP to come back at them in the second half, and apart from an occasional flurry, never looked like retaining the initiative they had established.

PP added a converted try on 44 minutes and within a short time had added a penalty.

Carlisle were unlucky when scrum half George Graham scrambled over between the posts and touched down, but the referee claimed he had dropped the ball!

Seven points at this stage could have been the impetus needed, with points even, and the home defence looking fragile under pressure  -  but sadly in the second period, Carlisle seemed reluctant to ensure that was the case.

Two thirds of the way through the half the north east newcomers nailed the game down with a converted try and Carlisle were left wondering where they had gone wrong  -  self inflicted wounds!

Pick of the pack:
Tom Graham.

Best of the backs:
Chris Harris.

Scorers for Carlisle:

Tries:

Tom Graham (1); Glen Weightman (1)

Conversions:

Glen Weightman (1)

Starting XV:

15    Max Connon
14    Dan Holmes
13    Chris Harris
12    Ross Olney (Lee Askew)
11    Jack Oddie
10    Glen Weightman
9      George GRaham
1      Steve Stamper (Captain)
2      Tom Graham
3      Martin McGimpsey (Gary Graham)
4      Martin Grealish
5      Dan Smithson
6      Lee Brumpton (Adam Morrison)
7      Bobby Sherlock
8      Mark Barron (Lee Brumpton)
16    Adam Morrison
17    Gary GRaham
18    Lee Askew

Next match:    5th December away at Pontefract.

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Old Crossleyans 36 v Carlisle 27

North 1 East League
Saturday, 14th November 2009

CARLISLE SNATCH DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY!

The city side were unable to maintain the winning momentum of recent weeks, and to a large extent they have only themselves to blame!  Like against Morpeth last week, and after a stuttering start, they quickly found themselves in arrears, and needing to pull out all the stops to have any hope.

Some uneasy defence in the opening period let the hosts in for an opening converted try after a couple of minutes although fly half Glen Weightman reduced the arrears two minutes later with a penalty.

The Old Crocs kept the visitors line under pressure and were awarded an easy penalty to take a 10 – 3 lead.  On the quarter hour mark Carlisle found themselves down to fourteen men when flanker Lee Brumpton was sin binned for advising the referee about his failings when full back Max Connon sufferred a bout of ill treatment on his own line!

Not deterred though, this seemed to the signal for Carlisle to up their game, and with the pack dominating, they stretched the Broomfields side to the limit, scrum half George Graham being the first to touch down and three minutes later (twenty six minutes) pivot, Mark Barron added to the cause with Weightman converting both.  Game on!

Carlisle were looking more comfortable now and Weightman added a penalty, and with half time beckoning at 20 pts to 10 in their favour, hopes were high of consolidation in the second period.  But, just on the break, slack defense allowed Crossleyans in for a converted try to close the gap to three points.

The second half opened with Carlisle soon under pressure when a penalty drew the home team level.  Scenting the afternoon may. after all, be theirs, Old Crossleyans put the Carlisle line under pressure.  Just as the final pass of an attack on the Carlisle line was thrown out, right wing Ben Blain intercepted and throttled away (46 minutes). reahing the other line without challenge and eightman converted.

Sadly, though that was to be the lot for Carlisle. Giving away too many penalties was to be their downfall and the Crocs took full advantage, slotting three over as well as a converted try to nail the game out at 36 pts to 27 pts.

Carlisle played out the last twenty minutes down to fourteen men when winger an Holmes was red carded for retaliating after a nasty head butt.  No excuse, but how often does the original aggressor escape as was the case this time!

The fact that, at about the same time, the game went to uncontested scrums when Crossleyans ran out of front row players, was also a negative for Carlisle.

Shots from the game:

Scorers for Carlisle:

Tries:

George Graham (1)
Mark Barron (1)
Ben Blain (1)

Conversions:

Glen Weightman (3)

Penalties:

Glen Weightman (1)

Pick of the pack:    Lee Brumpton
Best of the backs: George Graham

The starting line up:

15    Max Connon
14    Dan Holmes
13    Chris Harris
12    Ross Olney
11    Ben Blain
10    Glen Weightman
9      George Graham
1      Steve Stamper
2      Tom Graham
3      Mark Allan
4      Dan Smithson
5      Martin McGimpsey
6      Lee Brumpton
7      Bobby Sherlock
8      Mark Barron
16    Adam Morrison
17    Stuart Grahm
18    Jack Oddie

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