Carlisle Colts travelled to Keighley in W Yorkshire for their Round 3 game in the National Colts Plate competition, looking to avenge their earlier defeat to another Yorkshire team, Doncaster, in the Cup.

With a keen NW wind blowing across the pitch and heavy sticky conditions this wasn’t going to be a flowing backs game. Carlisle started by showing their intentions to dominate the forwards, by winning the first scrum against the head, and soon had the Keighley defence on the back foot.

Some driving mauls had the visitors camped on the Keighley try line and only some desperate defence averted a couple of early Carlisle tries, hooker Fisher being particularly unlucky in being adjudged to have been held up. However scrum half Harkins soon had the forwards marshalled for another attempt on the Keighley line, and a 10 man shove drove the visitors over, with centre Foster grounding the ball for the first points of the day.

Carlisle continued to keep the home side in their own half for long periods of the first half, but failed to convert the advantage into further points. It was one of the few Keighley excursions into the Carlisle 22, that resulted in them going over close to the posts to gain a converted try and a lead of 7points to 5 going into half time.

With some fresh legs on at half time and the wind at their backs the Carlisle side were keen to press home this advantage. With some strong powerful running from second row Nicoll creating holes in the defence, the Carlisle side were soon camped on the Keighley try line. Working the ball across the Keighley line, from a ruck right in front of the posts, Harkins was quick to nip round the side and dive over for the second Carlisle try.

The Keighley forwards were beginning to tire, and although their back line still posed some threats, the Carlisle side were able to cover the breaks, with the Robertson brothers letting very little past them. Midway through the second half the Carlisle forwards set up a driving maul on the Keighley 10m line, and drove the Keighley defence back to their try line, where the home side were forced to collapse the maul and concede a penalty try.

The visitors were not finished and with another maul on the right sucking in the Keighley defence, the ball was worked right across the back line for winger Kelly to go over in the left corner, Minett converting for his hatrick of conversions.

This was a very useful performance against a determined Keighley side, and a good start to 2012 by the Colts, who will be looking to carry this level of performance forward into the next round.

Date:            22.1.2012
Kick off time:        1pm
Venue:            Keighley
Won / drawn / lost:    won
Result:            7 v 26
Half time score:    7 v 5
     
Report sent in by:        Bill Glendinning

Carlisle Colts were a bit ring rusty going into their return league match against local rivals Wigton, having not played together for over a month.

With the sticky conditions not favouring an expansive game of rugby, Wigtons bigger forwards had the upperhand in the scrums and the home side’s backs were struggling for ball all day.

It was however first blood to Carlisle when centre Andy Glendinning managed to force his way across the line for the first Carlisle try.

Wigton were quick to break back and some deft handling across their back line saw them go round the Carlisle defence to score on the left,with the conversion putting them in the lead.

Carlisle continued to put pressure on the Wigton back line and an attempted clearance was charged down by flanker Josh Hill to put the home side back in the lead before half time.

Wigton were keen to press home their forwards weight advantage and they mauled the ball over the try line for the first points of the second half to put themselves back in the lead.

The home side finally started to string some moves together and winger Scott Hogarth found enough ground to open the afterburners and fly past the Wigton defence to put the Carlisle side back in the lead.

With the match fairly evenly balanced, it was centre Euan Foster who put the match beyond the visitors reach with a kick and chase through the Wigton defence, for the final points of the game.
 
Date:            17.12.2011
Kick off time:        2pm
Match:            Colts v Wigton
Venue:            Carlisle
Won / drawn / lost:    Won
Result:            20 v 14
Half time score:    10 v 7

Report sent in by:        B Glendinning

Colts v Billingham 12th Nov

The Colts travelled to Billingham on Saturday 12th November in what will probably be their toughest away match all season with a depleted team and a number of players playing in completely unfamiliar positions.

With two players playing in the second row for the first time it was not surprising that the forwards struggled in the set piece.

Billingham soon exploited this and within the first ten minutes had two tries on the scoreboard. Carlisle tried to make an impression on the Billingham defence but the home side defended strongly and despite the efforts of fullback Alex Clark, Billingham broke away for another try in the left corner.

All credit to the visitors that they didn’t give up, and a passage of driving forward play led by Clements, Mitchell and Marsh, saw the Colts unlucky to be held up on the line. From the resulting scrum, fly half Adam Robertson broke through a number of tackles and off-loaded for centre Andy Glendinning to touchdown for the first Carlisle try.

Any notion that Billingham were starting to crumble was swiftly dashed when they scored from the restart and then finished the first half with their fifth try from the last play of the half.

Carlisle started much more brightly in the second half and with the Billingham scrum starting to weaken, the Carlisle forwards held their own and from the set piece the visitors soon had more points on the board courtesy of Alex Clark.

With Carlisle continuing to run all over the park and press the home side, the Billingham side were constrained to their half for a significant part of the second half.

Only through sheer fatigue did the Billingham winger managed to break through a number of weary tackles to score under the posts. Carlisle managed to get their second wind, and were back to probing the Billingham defence in their own half.

With the forwards winning set piece ball from another scrum, the Carlisle backs worked the ball across the park for Alex Clark to score the third Carlisle try and bring the game to a close.

This was certainly a game of two halves with Billingham dominating the first, and Carlisle coming out top in the second.
         
Date:            12.11.2011
Kick off time:        2.15pm
Match:            Billingham v Carlisle
Venue:            Billingham
Won / drawn / lost:    lost
Result:            38 v 15
Half time score:    31 v 5

Report sent in by:        Bill Glendinning

A depleted Colts side took to the pitch against NE rivals Westoe, and with a number of players playing out of position it was inevitable that it was going to take time for the side to gel.

Westoe were not so charitable to give them that time and were soon in the lead with a try on the left whilst the Colts were just waking up.

That seemed to give the home side a wake up call and from the restart were soon pressing the visitors on their 22m line. From a ruck on the left the ball was worked wide across the pitch for centre Adam Robertson to score in the right corner.

Carlisle continued to press the Westoe side and were soon seeking to add more points on the board when an attempt to throw the ball wide was intercepted by the Westoe fly half who ran 3/4 the length of the pitch to score under the posts, much against the run of play.

Carlisle were not giving up easily and soon were back in contention with winger Euan Foster crossing the whitewash on the left.

Westoe pressed forward from the restart and despite some desperate defence by the home side, scored their third try of the half. Carlisle were keen though to try to finish the half with a counterattack and Westoe were pinned on their try line, for the last few minutes, before clearing to touch with the last kick of the half.

The second half was a much less disciplined affair and both sides were guilty of ruining what was becoming an absorbing game to watch.

With the first twenty minutes constantly interrupted for penalties, it was the visitors who finally strung together a decent phase of play to score their fourth try. The home side however were not out of the match and Euan Foster broke through the Westoe defence to grab his second try of the match.

That however was to be the final score of the game. It was a brave effort by the few who turned up, but ill-discipline cost them dearly in a match that was very winnable.
     
Kick off time:        3pm
Venue:            Carlisle
Won / drawn / lost:    lost
Result:            19 v 26
Half time score:    12 v 21       

Report sent in by:        Bill Glendinning
       

The National Colts Cup saw Cumbria rivals Carlisle and Keswick drawn in the second round on Sunday 16th October.

Keswick started the match much the brighter team and soon had points on the board with a penalty for infringement at the ruck.

Carlisle were still trying to organise themselves when Keswick broke through the home defence to score in the left corner and put themselves 8 points clear. With Carlisle continuously infringing at the breakdown Keswick were unlucky not to put more points on the board.

However Carlisle began to gel together as a team and Louis Cawley soon put the home side on the score sheet with their first try of the day. Carlisle were beginning to bring pressure in the scrum and it wasn’t long before this advantage allowed fullback Alex Clark to cross the tryline to put the Carlisle side into the lead at half time.

Keswick were not giving in though and soon regained the advantage with a try of their own shortly after the start of the second half.

That however was to be Keswick’s final points of the day as the home side began to dominate the loose play and fine individual play in the backs was converted into tries for Alex Clark, wing Jack Walker and outside centre Matty Little, with inside centre Andy Glendinning converting two of them. The Colts now progress into round 3 with an away match into deepest Yorkshire to look forward to.

Date:            16.10.2011
Kick off time:        1pm
Match:            Carlisle v Keswick
Venue:            Carlisle
Won / drawn / lost:    won
Result:            29 v 13
Half time score:    10 v 8
     
Report sent in by:        Bill Glendinning
           

Despite the early monsoon and the lack of referees the Colts managed to press on with their League campaign in their first home game of the season against a lively Alnwick side.

The game was pretty evenly contested in the first 10 minutes until the Alnwick fly half managed to break through the Carlisle defence to score under the posts.

Carlisle were quick to bounce back though, and some pressure down the left saw the ball recycled through the backs, with fly half Tom McMann feeding fullback Euan Foster to scythe through the Alnwick defence to score in the left corner.

Unfortunately this was to be our no 10′s last contribution, going off with an ankle injury. With our other fly half already refereeing the match, Jason Israel ably stepped up to the mark, no mean feat since he hasn’t trained with the squad before. With very little between the two teams, Alnwick were beginning to increase the pressure, until Foster intercepted a pass in the Carlisle 22.

Breaking through a number of tackles he released winger Scott Hogarth to speed down the left touchline and score under the posts, converted by centre Alex Clark, for the last points of the first half.

Carlisle started the second half strongly and Alnwick were soon on the back foot, committing a penalty in front of the posts, which Clark converted. He was unfortunate to miss another penalty attempt further out, as Carlisle were beginning to press forward. A searching kick by Israel resulted in a line out close to the Alnwick 10m line.

With Carlisle winning the ball, it was quickly worked across the back line, opening up the Alnwick defence for Hogarth to dive through the gap to claim his second try, again converted by Clark. Alnwick however were not giving up, and with Carlisle losing concentration for a moment, the defence was opened up for Alnwick to score with the last play of the game.

Congratulations to both teams for providing a very enjoyable game to watch for the spectators, despite the conditions underfoot, and to the referee for keeping the game flowing.

Man of the Match -  A Robertson

Date            17.9.2011
Kick off time:        2.50pm
Match:            Carlisle v Alnwick
Venue:            Carlisle
Won / drawn / lost:    won
Result:            22 v 12
Half time score:    12 v 7

The first game of the season on Saturday 10th of September in the NE and Cumbria Saturday League, saw Carlisle Colts away to local rivals Wigton.

First game nerves saw handling errors on both sides and a sudden deterioration in the weather, meant Carlisle were playing into a stiff wind and rain in the first half.

Both sides were evenly matched to begin with although Carlisle started to probe the home defence with some strong darting runs from No 8 Adam Robertson. A Wigton attack was then strongly defended and fullback Alex Clark broke away and ran a good 40m before being held up 10m out on the left.

With Wigton infringing at the breakdown, the resulting penalty was put into touch for a line out. From the line out the Carlisle forwards then pushed their way close to the Wigton line, sucking in the Wigton defence, and Robertson was able to dive through a morass of bodies to get points on the board for the visitors.

There were to be no further points on the board in the first half, although the Colts finished strongly, with scrum half Oliver Armstrong sniping through the home defence only to be stopped short.

Wigton started the second half brightly and pressured the Colts defence straight away. A rolling maul by the Wigton forwards was just stopped short of the Carlisle line and only some desperate defending allowed Carlisle to clear their lines.

With Wigton committing a penalty and giving Carlisle breathing space, a deep kick into the Wigton 22m had the home side scrambling back to defend. With Carlisle winning the ball in the ruck, and moving the ball across the back line on the Wigton 10m line, some quick hands allowed centre Jordan Clement to dive across the line on the right for the second Carlisle try, converted by fly half Andy Glendinning.

Wigton again started strongly from the restart and Carlisle had to keep focussed to defend their line. Fullback Clark again ran from deep, and supported by winger Tom Kelly and Clement made deep inroads into the Wigton half, only to be stopped by the Wigton defence just short of the try line. Wigton managed to press forward with Carlisle committing a series of infringements at the breakdown, allowing the Wigton side to get close to the visitors line.

Their scrum half, H Twentyman,then seized the opportunity to dive over on the right hand side for a try, which was subsequently converted. Carlisle however refused to be deterred and some probing play down the right strung the Wigton defence across their 22m, and some quick ball back across the backs to flanker Josh Hill on the left, supported by Clark and Kelly, allowed Kelly to race through the stretched Wigton defence to score the last try of the game by the left upright.

This was a good effort by a depleted Carlisle team, and sets them up for their encounter with Alnwick at home next week.

Date:            10.9.2011
Kick off time:        2pm
Match:            Wigton v Carlisle
Venue:            Wigton
Won / drawn / lost:    won
Result:            7 v 17
Half time score:    0 v 5

Carlisle scores by:

SCORER    TRIES    CONS    DROPS    PENS
A Robertson    1                           
J Clement    1                           
T Kelly    1                           
A Glendinning             1
     

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.

The colts were in fine form at Morpeth on Saturday 5th February.

Although the score indicates that Morpeth were a weak side, nothing could be further from the truth, even at 27 nil down they kept coming at us until the final whistle and with out some really determined defence from Carlisle they would have had at least 2 tries.

A squad of twenty players travelled to the north east and this was beneficial, as we have been struggling with numbers for away games recently. Mathew Little stood in as captain for the injured Carl Robertson ,and did a sterling job, leading by example and scoring 3 tries.

The pack did a great job supplying the talented back line with quality ball throughout the game.

Outstanding players were T.McCullough (2nd row), A.Clarke (No 8),A .Neale (prop) in the forwards, and M.Little (centre) M.Fearon (fly half) in the backs.

The hard work in training over the last few weeks certainly showed as the lads got stronger as the game went on, but we will have to be more clinical with our finishing against Wigton next week.

Scorers-
M.Little – 3 tries;
M.Fearon – 1 try & 1 conversion;
M.Minet t- 1try

Morpeth 0 v Carlisle 27 pts

Saturday 27 March 2010
Carlisle Colts 27, Billingham Colts 23

An important game for both teams, although Carlisle having suffered defeat at Percy Park were looking to get back into winning ways; conditions could hardly be better, with the pitch in excellent condition a great day for running rugby. The game started lively with both teams settling into the match but it would be against play that the first try would be scored; Carlisle were down in the Billingham twenty two when a pass was intercepted, Carlisle players could only watch as the player ran all the way to the Carlisle try line and scoring the first points. The conversion followed putting Billingham 0 v 7. Carlisle would soon be back and were eventually rewarded a penalty for their efforts, S. Benson took the kick making the score 3 v 7. Billingham were to score again picking the ball up in their own half and another individual run put points on the board, Carlisle were getting very little for the amount of ball they were getting. Billingham were leading the game 3 v 12. It would be fair to say that the scoreboard did not reflect the game entirely, and this would soon change . . . firstly hooker T. McCullough crossed the line for Carlisle, then second row T. Dixon, followed by centre S. Benson, Benson would convert two of the three so at half time the score had changed and Carlisle were in the lead at 22 v 12.

The second half kicked off with a Carlisle drive to the line, this must have been an astounding 60 metres, Carlisle were on the scoreboard again, taking the score to 27 v 12, Billingham responded straight away with a try from the restart, 27 v 17. With the breeze now behind them Billingham were applying pressure to the Carlisle defence; Carlisle were to lose two players to the bin during the game, which did not help the cause, it did look as though the match was changing Billingham could not cross the Carlisle try line the defence was excellent though they did score 6 points from penalties taking the score to the final tally of 27 v 23.  The game was very much in two halves throughout the game a strong breeze blew up the pitch assisting both teams when playing with it, but the win was deserved by Carlisle. Once again thanks to the Groundsman, Billingham for making the long journey and giving us a spectacle to watch, the catering and bar staff and of course Robbie for standing in to manage the team.

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