The Carlisle second string entertaining Rossendale in the University of Salford League 1st Division, continued their vein of good results with a solid result, keeping them in the upper reaches of the league.
 
It was an entertaining affair with the Crusaders always looking in control.
 
Five tries, a couple of conversions and a penalty gave them the result they wanted leaving them in second place with 26 league points from six wins out of eight outings.

A chance to further consolidate comes on Saturday when, like their senior colleagues, they entertain a Wilmslow XV.

On Saturday 3rd September, Carlisle returned west after exile in the east for five years, travelling to Rochdale who had been relegated after a couple of years at Level 5 in National 3 North.
 

A disappointing start

Carlisle fielded a side with several debutants, including a number who have recently stepped up from junior rugby  -  and to a degree it told.

The visitors were under early pressure from the home pack, and although they competed well, their effort was interupted early in the game when prop, Martin McGimpsey had to leave the field with rib damage to be replace by Martin Kalinowski.
 
Rochdale drew frist blood with an unconverted try on 18 minutes, with full back Jack Dawson landing a couple of penalties 27 and 37 minutes to give the city men a slender lead at the break.
 
Following the resumption, both sides plugged away looking for advantage but it was the home side who stretched away with a couple of tries (one converted) before Carlisle had a few bursts of inspiration with Dawson landing a try in the right hand corner to reduce the arrears at 17 pts to 11 pts and a glimmer of hope that redemption was a possibility.
 
Rochdale killed thge game off though with a couple of well taken converted tries  -  result 31 pts to 11 pts.
 
Scorers for Carlisle:
 
Tries            Jack Dawson        1
Pens            Jack Dawson        2
 
Carlisle team:
 
15    Jack Dawson
14    Martin Brodie
13    Luke Bell
12    Barry Earl
11    Elliot McDermott
10    Paul Minett
9      James Rocke
1      Callum Hermeston
2      Tom Graham
3      Martin McGimpsey (Martin Kalinowski)
4      Paul Halliday
5      Callum Rowlandson
6      Callum Grey (Dan Smithson)
7      Carl Robertson
8      Mark Barron (Capt)
 
Replacements:
 
16    Martin Kalinowski
17    Dan Smithson
18    Matthew Little 

Saturday, 3rd September 2012
RFU North 1 West League
Rochdale 31 pts Carlisle 11 pts   

Crusaders

Carlisle Crusaders 55 pts Preston Grasshoppers 7 pts
Division 1 Univeristy of Salford NW Leagues
 
The Crusaders fared better than their senior colleagues, with a demolition of the ‘Hoppers at Warwick Road.  In an entertaining match Carlisle were rampant, showing little respect of their guests.
 
They were ahead 24 pts to 7 pts at the break with four touch downs a couple of conversions.
 
In the second period they added five more tries, three converted.
 
Scorers for Crusaders:
 
Tries:        Paddy McDonnel        2
                  Franny Dixon               1
                  Matt Cullen                  1
                  Rob Little                     1
                  Joe Anderson             1
                  Tom Clark                    2
                  Simon Little                 1
 
Cons:        Lewis Cawley              4
                  Paddy McDonnel         1

 
NEXT WEEK:
 
1sts AWAY at Anselmians
2nds HOME to Waterloo
                 
                  
 
 

No further details are available at the moment but the following results will be of interest for Saturday:

Crusaders away at Preston Grasshoppers 3.  Lost 33 pts to nil.  Rumour has it that the hosts didn’t have a 2nd team fixture, so what happened?

The Colts had a resounding victory, 43 pts to nil at home to Northern.

Some are beginning to wonder at the wisdom of coming out of the “Candy” league and entering the Crusaders XV in the University of Salford North West Leagues!  The season is now six weeks old and we’ve had one home game to date.

Interesting that the home game was on the opening day of the season and we agreed to be charitable and let Sandbach bring their 2nd string here, whilst their 1st’s were at Wigton.  It helped them with the cost of travel.  We should have been at Rochdale that day, and that match is still to re-arrange.

The following week, because of the alterations the previous week, there was an impact, and that left us with a free Saturday.

Since then we have travelled to Penrith, Wilmslow and Burnage  – so what some might say, but we made a committment to the league and as far as possible we’ll stick to it.

Both West Park (St Helens) and Blackburn have pulled out of games at Carlisle at fairly short notice and hardly with a credible excuse!  To their credit at least they didn’t leave it the morning of the match.

Perhaps they don’t (or don’t want to) realise that they both still have to come to Carlisle, as our away games have now been reversed as part of the league penalties system.

We don’t want to amass league points by default.  It’s not fair, it’s misguided and may give us a false sense of our real worth!  We want to play rugby and provide sport for all those who want to play.

The real worry is that there may be some lads who will find something else to do on a Saturday because of the uncertainty as to whether or not there will be a game.

We can only hope it will improve after the visit to Kendal this Saturday, 23rd October.

Our plight has not gone un-noticed by the league officials though, the following comments being found on their website:

“I’ve deliberately left division 1 to second. I know it’s sometimes difficult to get sides out gents, but we’ve now had three concedes with blackburn calling off today. I know in a few cases we’re talking about third xv’s, but really gents I don’t understand 2nd xv’s not being able to get sides out.
“We thought long and hard about Carlisle coming into the leagues. at the present time they’ve had only one home fixture fulfilled. remember gents, you are travelling once per season – they are travelling every other week, come on let’s get the sides out and fulfill the fixtures. they are a smashing club and you’ll enjoy your time with them. skippers, the most important gents in our lower leagues, get your lads together, and get the games played, division 1 is rapidly becoming a poor league on a level with some of our division 5 leagues.

“I suppose I’ve a vested interest because I am from birth a Cumbrian, well Westmerian really. How the hell Westmorland was struck off the map I’ll never understand.

“To date gents, the sides that have presently called off will, in line with the rules, have to travel for the second fixture. Carlisle could end up with a string of home games.

“The other point is that not only do you lose your points, the other sides in your club also lose theirs.”

Fred Swarbick.

So there you have it, the view of someone not connected with our club.

Let’s hope things improve and we get some rugby.

An update on the Crusaders in the University of Salford North West League Division1. Apologies for not keeping readers up to date, but without getting information in you will appreciate that without it, compiling a report is difficult.

This is the first season in the league, and promotion and relegation is a feature of the set up.  For this, our first season, we have been placed in the second tier – Division 1 – with only the Premier League above, but many more below.

On the opening day of the season we entertained Sandbach (who finished fourth last season) and achieved a creditable 34 pts to 17 pts victory.

Tries from Paul Halliday, Franny Dixon, Andrew Carigiet, Joe Blaylock and James Armiger.  Joe Blaylock three of the tries and added a penalty.

The second week of the season was a blank date due to re-arrangements that were not forseen.

Next it was off to Penrith where, after a reasonable first half, the endeavours were in vain and we sufferred a 58 pts to 8 pts defeat.  Perhaps not was expected after our successes over Penrith in the previous season.  Try from Ed Faulder and a penalty by John Bowman.

On 25th September we should have entertained West Park St Helens, but they withdrew late on the Friday evening, claiming not to be able to raise a team!  Too late to find another one.  But, they still have to come to Carlisle.  Our away fixture is reversed due to the rules and they have to pay a fine for not fulfilling the orginal game.  It’s a good rule that one, but hopefully we won’t fall foul of it!

An away game at Wilmslow was the venue for 2nd October.  By all accounts it was a compelling game and although we lost the encounter there were many positives reported, and the lads were not too downhearted.

Arron Murray - try at Wilmslow.

Tries in the first from Arron Murray, Graham Kidd and Chris Byrne were our only scores in the final result of 24 pts to 15 pts.

Next up is another trip to the Manchester area – v Burnage 2.  Good luck on 9th October

Candy League
Saturday, 28th November 2009

Luke Graham - a penalty

On paper this was a home fixture for the 2nd XV but because of the poor state of the pitches at Carlisle, the game was switched to the north east to ensure the match went ahead.

Having already beaten Sunderland earlier in the season, it was great to do the double over them.

It was a game of committment, excitement and no little skill.

Callum McSkeane touched down for a try and although Luke Graham managed a penalty, he couldn’t add the conversdion to the try.

CANDY LEAGUE – Saturday, 31st October 2009

After a great team performance the week before, the Crusaders were unfortunate to be depleted in numbers due to several injuries.

John Bowman was aware of the task ahead and so was the rest of the team. West Hartlepool were a well drilled, fast and powerful outfit , and this showed in  the early stages of the game.

Carlisle matched where they could, but unfortunately The Monkey hangers scored a penalty and converted try in quick succession.

This seemed to gift Hartlepool some confidence – and they began to play with real flair which the Crusaders, despite the best efforts, could not defend. 

However, like many of the games this season – in the second half the Crusaders looked threatening, and strong runs from the likes of Tranter and Watson – gave Carlisle positive positions on the park.

It’s fair to say that in the second half, Carlisle played the most rugby! 

Simon Little gave the Crusaders what they were working for mid way through the half, after persistent pressure in the West Hartlepool half -  Luke Graham spun wide to Little who sold his opposite number a glorious dummy and sailed through the gap for the try.

Unfortunately – perhaps too little too late from the Warwick road men as West Hartlepool ran out comfortable winners. 

But with more men returning from the Physio’s room next week – Richard Liddle will be having a selection head ache as the boys look to get back to winning ways against Morpeth.

Man of the match went to Jack Tranter this week, who was aggressive in defence and creative in attack, other strong performances came from Matt Davis, Ian Watson and Luke Graham.

On the 19th September, the crusaders made the journey over to the north east in high spirits after the convincing win over Billingham in the previous week.

With Richard Liddle sidelined and John Bowman making the step up to the first team, Jack Oddie was handed the arm band.

It didn’t take long before Westoe drew first blood. From a scrum in the Carlisle 22 – the crusaders seemed to be absorbing the pressure well, but then the Westoe back line combined well to find a gap in the defense for an easy try.

From the restart, the Carlisle pack were aggressively relentless to win the ball back. After consistent pressure – the Westoe backs received poor ball, and with an ‘in their face’ style defense from the Carlisle backs – the Westoe full back buckled under pressure spilling the pill in to the hands of Jack Oddie, who ran under the posts for a converted try.

Gary Graham

A very even half saw pressure from both parties. Quick ball from the menacing Aron Murray at nine allowed the brain and agility of Matt Rogers to release inside centre Paddy Macdonnell on the Westoe midfield, and a back row of Stew Graham, Callum Gray and especially the young Gary Graham were both aggressive and hard working in their plight to win the ball.

But that wasn’t without Westoe playing some attractive and attacking Rugby football. Carlisle were organized in their defense. And although Westoe came close, Oddie halted an attack down the wing, Joe Harrington and Stew Graham were consistently menacing in protecting the fringes of the breakdown and Chris Fairclough made the tackle of the game by literally putting the Westoe eight on his backside two metres behind where he met the shoulders of the promising front rower, preventing a sure try!

The next twenty minutes saw a battle of the boots, with Carlisle’s Chris Kersop and Westoes ten almost taking turns to convert penalties. As half time drew close, Carlisle looked to keep the ball in hand to see out the half, but Carlisle were penalized for illegal play on the floor. The quick tap penalty saw Westoe expose a gap in the retreating Carlisle defense, then with an overlap; Westoe converted their chance with some handling that defeated the Carlisle men that were working hard to prevent the try.

This certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of the Carlisle men, a towering restart from Rogers allowed Gary Graham and Stew Graham to bury the Westoe catcher with Scott Squire and Richard Yardley firing in to turn over the ball. Carlisle began to play now, with Macdonnell skinning his defender and breaking in to space. With this break; the pill went through the hands, but the relentless Westoe defense were tireless in their efforts to prevent the try. Carlisle played fast, punchy phases and soon Westoe were penalized for their efforts to halt the surging Cumbrian attack, as some handling on the floor gifted Kersop an easy three points in front of the sticks.

After the last say of the first half, and the sun behind them; the Crusaders began the second half with a united belief and determination; and this was obvious in the way Carlisle began the restart. An early Kersop penalty brought the boys two points behind. Then consistent forward play proved problematic to the larger Westoe pack, especially with the power and athleticism from the young Gary Graham, the sheer power, chat and organization of Scott squire and Aron Murray bossing his pack around the park. Carlisle continued to make ground with Murray and Rogers releasing forwards like Ross Allan, Rob Cullon and Chris Kersop punching holes.

When the time was right, Rogers demanded the ball and Carlisle began to play wider. Now we could really use our quick lads Jack Tranter, James Armiger and Callum McSKean.

Westoe did well to defend the power of the likes of Squire, Ross and Grey and the blistering pace of Armiger, McSkeane and Tranter for so long. But eventually, the ref spotted an infringement and Carlisle gained a penalty. Unfortunately, this was the one kick the consistent Kersop missed, but Carlisle returned as determined. Rogers played his clever, little balls in the faces of Westoes back line, allowing McDonnel and Oddie to gain valuable yards in midfield. Carlisle had gelled and were looking dangerous. Hard work from the likes of Fairclough, Callum Gray and Stew Graham allowed Murray to continue to unleash Tranter on to the Westoe Defense. Carlisle were bossing the game, as the Cumbrians made ground, Rogers dropped in to the pocket. Murray ordered his pack over and gave the Crusaders 10 the ball in a promising area. Unfortunately, the towering Westoe seven did exceptionally well to close Rogers down and deflect the pill away from the sticks!

The Carlisle boys weren’t finished though, more pressure followed; but the Westoe defence continued to hold their fort. Then, totally against the run of play, Carlisle found them selves isolated in their attack; a quick turnover from the Sand dancers and, once again, slick hands – released the Westoe winger to stretch his legs in space from his own twenty two.

The converted try certainly didn’t dampen the Carlisle spirits, but it raised Westoes.

Liddle made changes to try and give energy to the Carlisle XV. David Benson, Rob Cullon and Dion. These changes injected a tactical boot, hard work and pace to the effort.

Carlisle were now on the back foot, but killing the attack when they could. Graham and Graham were still clearing up at the breakdown. The effort soon became in vein though as Westoe simply sucked the Cumbrians in a little, then played behind the centre’s with the back three – resulting in three tries before the final whistle.

Certainly the score line didn’t reflect the game, and the Crusaders are relishing the opportunity of the reverse fixture.

A lot of positives to build on, and a mention must go to the young lads of Graham, Alan, Cullon and Benson making their impression on the senior game.

The Crusaders will be looking forward to their travels to Darlington next week, but Liddle will certainly be having selection problems after so many strong performances.

Jack Oddie got man of the match, and Gary Graham was a close second.

Saturday, 5th September  -  Candy League

Crusaders 27 pts, Darlington MP 31 pts was probably a fair result overall.  Although, Carlisle know it was a game they could and should have won.

At the break the score was 12 pts to 10 pts.  Further tries by Chris Kersop and man of the match Tom Lewis closed things in a bit.

Tom Lewis - man of the match v DMP

The Crusaders backs were impressive but lacked quick ball supply to go forward in confident attacking mode.  Doubtless they will learn from their frailties, hit the rucks with more thought and aggression, creating momentum, getting the opposition onto the back foot and then move the ball wide.    That would allow the wingment (currently Paddy McDonnell and James Clark) room to operate in effectively.

Joe Harrington at prop had an excvellent match, strongly supported by Gary Graham, Stu Graham and Callum Gray.

There were notable performances to from some old heads, Chris Kersop, Simon Little and Richard Percival and it highlighted the need for a sprinkling of experience to blend with youth and enthusiasm.

15    James Armiger
14    Callum McSkeane
13    James Clark
12    Paddy McDonnell
11    Jack Tranter
10    Simon Little
9      Arron Murray
1      Joe Harrington
2      John Bowman (Captain)
3      Scott Squire
4      Chris Kersop
5      Tom Lewis
6      Callum Gray
7      Stuart Graham
8      Richard Percival
16    Jay Ritson
17    Chris Fairclough
18    Ian Watson
19    Gary Graham

Saturday, 5th September 2009
CANDY LEAGUE

Both sides started well with plenty of possession, attacking the defensive lines of the opposition and with both defending resolutely.
The deadlock was broken by Carlisle after quarter of an hour when Jack Tranter was first to react to a dropped ball by DMP, fly hacking through and then chasing his kick; a further kick through prior to falling on the ball, had left the defence behind.  But, when looking for support Jack found lock, Kersop, and he ran in for the opening unconverted try.

The home side then leaked two tries quite quickly as the DMP pack battered the Carlisle line,  The home side then had a lengthy period of possession and camped on the DMP line.  Calum McSkeane took a short ball off the shoulder of Paddy McDonnell to break two tackles and score under the posts. Kersop converted.

JACK TRANTER

At half time the the score of Crusaders 12 DMP 19 pts was a fair reflection of the game.

The second half was similar to the first with the only ever a few points separtating the teams and when it finished ad 31 pts to 27 pts in favour of the guests it was a fair result, although Carlisle know it was a game they could, and should have won!
A further try by Kersop and one by man of the match Tom Lewis brought the score close.

Carlisle had an impressive looking back line but suffered from the lack of quick ball when going forward to put them in a

TOM LEWIS - MAN OF THE MATCH

competent attacking position.  The Crusaders need to learn from this, hit rucks with more thought and aggression, creating momentum, getting the oipposition onto the back foot and then move the ball wide, quickyly affording McDonnell and Clark some space to work.

Joe Harrington at prop had an excvellent game, strongly suppoirted by Stu and Gary Graham and Callum Gray.  A notable solid performance by Kersop, Simon Little and “Percyville” highlighted that the future of the club still needs to benefit from the experience of senior players.  The side was made up of youngsters, Gary Graham (17) (who put up an excellent show).  Others like skipper John Bowman, Callum Gray, Jack Tranter, all in their early twenties; but the backbone of the performance came from the senior players setting the platform for the youngters to benefit from.

SKIPPER - JOHN BOWMAN

Star man  -  Tom Lewis

Crusaders XV

15    James Armiger
14    Callum McSkeane
13    James Clark
12    Paddy McDonnel
11    Jack Tranter
10    Simon Little
9      Arron Murray
1      Joe Harrington
2      John Bowman
3      Scott Squire
4      Chris Kersop
5      Tom Lewis
6      Callum Gray
7      Stu Graham
8      Richard Percival
16    Jay Ritson
17    Chris Fairclough
18    Ian Watson
19    Gary Graham