Contract car parking is available at Carlisle Rugby Club on Warwick Road, CA1 1LW.

Economical and convenient

At the most it is a 10 minute walk from the city centre.  Given the shortage of available car parking in the city centre, and in streets off Warwick Road, an annual contract parking ticket for the rugby club car park would make sense.

All day parking in the city centre is around £6 or £30 a week.

We can offer 10 hours daily parking between 8.00am and 6.00pm.  The car park has recently been resurfaced and appropriate parking bays set out.

Parking is at the risk of the owner, as is the responsibility for the contents of a vehicle.

£200 will get you parking for 12 months.

Why not give it a try?

You can pay by cheque (made payable to Carlisle RFC Ltd) or if it is more convenient, you can pay quarterly, half yearly or annually (all in advance) by standing order.

Because of the extremely good value at £200, the minimum contract period is 12 months.

Interested?… just download and complete the application form and a standing order forms below;

Contract Car Parking Flyer & Form

CRFC Contract Car Parking Standing Order

The final league match of the season, due to take place at Warwick Road on Saturday 7th May is off.

Carlisle RFC hang up thir boots for another season

Nevertheless, the club are grateful for the continued support during the season and look forward to welcoming you back to Warwick Road for the new season in September.

The Crusaders have a cup final to play on Saturday though.  They play the winners of the semi final between Penrith & Kirkby Lonsdale.

If the other finalists are Penrith, then the final will be staged at Wigton on Saturday, otherwise it will be at Penrith. Either way, kick off is 3.00 pm.

Check the News & Star / Cumberland News for details.

Date of match:        23/04/2011
TEAM:            1st XV         
MATCH:            Carlisle v Cleckheaton
(League/Cup/Other):    North 1 East League

RESULT:            31 pts v 22 pts
HALF TIME SCORE:    14 pts v 5 pts

Entertaining Cleckheaton on their first ever league visit to Warwick Road, Carlisle started the game with the same vigour that they applied the previous week when they overcame Team Northumbria.

Yet again though, the city side were hampered in their selection with late changes having to be made to the line up because of injuries.  They needn’t have worried though;  Carlisle dealt comfortably with whatever “Cleck” threw at them.

In the main the home pack dominated the forward exchanges.  As early as the third minute they gave notice of their intention to go for the maximum of five league points available to them.

From a quick penalty about five yards from the visitor’s line, pivot Lee Brumpton deceived the defence and touched down between the posts.  Grant Connon had an easy conversion.

Despite appearing to be in the ascendency early on, the homesters did not have it all their own way, allowing the visiting number eight to reduce the arrears five minutes later with an unconverted try. Play was delayed for a few minutes, and Brumpton had to leave the field for treatment to a blood injury (Gareth Wylie deputising whilst treatment progressed).

This minor disruption did not cause too much upset, with Carlisle maintaining a grip on the match.  Brumpton returned after about ten minutes and was soon in the midst of the action.  His vision, drive and tenacity was important to Carlisle, always encouraging forward drives.  On twenty six minutes, scrum half Tim Hughes sniped his way through the massed defence, offloaded to Brumpton who helped himself to the points for Connon to improve.

Displaying a growing confidence, Carlisle were not for easing off.  Connon put his side upfield with some intelligent kicking and three minutes later, from a line out just inside the “Cleck” twenty two line, the ball was won and found it’s way to centre Chris Harris, who in turn let Martin Brodie away on a powerful thrust down his wing to touch down in the right hand corner.

Whilst 19 pts to 5 at the break may have looked comfortable, it was never going to be enough.  The Yorkshiremen were showing plenty of spirit, and in possession they kept Carlisle on their mettle.  Indeed within three minutes of the restart Piper added another try before the city injury jynx that has plagued the club in recent weeks, struck yet again!

Hooker, Graham Kidd had to leave the field when his back went into spasm and utility forward Mark Allan deputised.  The pack was not quite as composed as it had been but nevertheless they stuck to their task.  On fifty eight minutes flanker Dam Smithson helped the cause with a well worked but unimproved try.

With ten minutes remaining Carlisle stretched their grip on the game to 31 pts to 10 when Brodie on the right wing, made ground after getting the ball about half way.  He powered up the flank and then infield to strike at the posts.  Connon added the conversion.

This season Carlisle have tended to have a hold on games and then in the latter stages start to ease up and let the opposition back in with a chance.  Saturday was no exception and Cleckheaton put in two tries, one converted, in the last six minutes.

A great win it may have been, well deserved, but the elation of success was soon assuaged when it was discovered that those below them they needed to lose had al picked up points, still leaving thins tight.  Carlisle have the whip hand though, with the advantage of two games remaining.  The aim has to be to win both games;  it is no good leaving it to the last game against the table whipping boys (Hartlepool Rovers) who visit Warwick Road on 7th May.

As was seen on Saturday, Northern (second bottom) gave promoted side West Hartlepool a good beating!  Nothing is guaranteed.

SCORERS:          
Tries:    Lee Brumpton (2), Martin Brodie (2), Dan Smithson (1).
Cons:    Grant Connon (3)
Pens:        -
DG’s

STARTING XV & REPLACEMENTS:
15   Lewis Boyd
14   Martin Brodie
13   Chris Harris
12   Barry Earl
11   Matthew Minett
10   Grant Connon
9     Tim Hughes
1     Steve Stamper (C)
2     Graham Kidd (Mark Allan)
3     Martin Kalinowski
4     Martin McGimpsey
5     Paul Halliday
6     Dan Smithson
7     Callum Grey
8     Lee Brumpton
16   Mark Allan
17   Gareth Wylie
18   Simon Little

PICK OF THE PACK:    Lee Brumpton
BEST OF THE BACKS:    Grant Connon

NEXT MATCH:    ON 30/04/2011, Durham City V Carlisle – KICK OFF 3.00 pm

Date:            16/04/11
Kick off time:        12:00
Venue:            Carlisle
Won / drawn / lost:    Won 1 Lost 1

The Carlisle RFC under 15s were blessed with a wealth of numbers this weekend as 34 lads turned up to take on a very strong touring side from Stockport, and local rivals Wigton.

Two very entertaining games with Stockport just edging out a somewhat jaded Carlisle side, suffering fatigue ! from the previous weeks cup final.
A game which saw the first points well into 20 mins plus, and Carlisle just missing a conversion in the last couple to take a draw.

In the second match Carlisle left it to the last 10 minutes to make the difference against Wigton.
Most pleasing was the return of some old faces, one of these Dan Smails helping himself to no less then five tries.

Carlisle 15 Stockport 17
Carlisle 58 Wigton 38

This week will be quite hectic for the lads as they take on a touring side from Stockton on Thursday with a 1pm K.O, then two more games on Saturday against yet another touring
side from Huddersfield and also Vale of Lune making the round robin having moved that fixture forward from Sunday.

Date of match:        16/04/2011
TEAM:            1st XV         
MATCH:            Team Northumbria v Carlisle
(League/Cup/Other):    North 1 East League
RESULT:            31 pts v 33 pts
HALF TIME SCORE:    10 pts v 26 pts

SCORERS:          
Tries:    Lee Brumpton (1), Lewis Boyd (1), Chris Harris (3).
Cons:         
Pens:    Grant Connon (4).
DG’s

Heading for disaster after a home defeat to Pontefract last week, Carlisle had little time to pick themselves up and attempt to get out of the fringe relegation area of North 1 East.  Salvage work began on Tuesday with a narrow victory over Wigton in the Cumbria Cup quarter final at Lowmoor Road;  the rebuilding of confidence was a priority and that victory, albeit a scrappy one, started the process.

Selection problems, already problematical, were further compounded by injuries incurred at Wigton, with the Carlisle pack not quite the same as it had looked earlier in the campaign.  Several prominent lads were missing, but any worries that may have niggled were quickly assuaged by a competent performance from all eight who created a great platform for the backs to wreak more than a little havoc at

Bullocksteads, something that Team Northumbria are not accustomed too, and probably didn’t expect.

The backs had been tweaked a little too;  Lewis Boyd returned at full back for Max Connon who moved to scrum half to partner his brother Grant.  With the presence of the more experienced Boyd behind them (& that is not a criticism of Connon) there was a tangible effect on youngsters whose job it was to tantalise their hosts.

The opening exchanges were fairly even with the two packs vying for superiority.   Team Northumbria were first to draw blood though with a try wide out on the right that was just too far for the conversion.  From the restart the Carlisle pack got the advantage and applied heavy pressure, camping themselves on the home line for several minutes until on the twelfth minute flanker Lee Brumpton touched down after a push over, left of the posts but Grant Connon inexplicably missed the conversion!

Inspired by that success, the pack went on to dominate the forward play, with Brumpton especially being very influential in the loose, cleaning up and making yards at every opportunity with his direct approach.  The Connon half back duo too were very active, Max being lively and alert around the scrum, and Grant putting in his usual assured performance.

On twelve minutes, Brumpton made ample ground from midfield before releasing the ball to outside centre Chris Harris who waltzed through a perplexed home defence to score at the right of goals.  Connon improved.  Carlisle continued with a renewed confidence without getting carried away with their apparent superiority at this stage.  Harris voted man of the match by the game sponsors, was at the heart of the action throughout and added to his earlier success  when, five minutes he added a second try, Connon converting.
Exchanges were pretty even and whilst the visitors were in command there was no room for complacency, TN looking dangerous throughout and the visiting defence had to be on their mettle to safeguard what they had achieved.

Within minutes of strengthening their grip on proceedings, Carlisle suffered a blow when Dan Holmes on the right wing, had to retire with ham string problems  -  something the city outfit could do without, adding to their lengthening injury list.  Joe Blaylock replaced him and was soon in the thick of the action.

After the rest, Carlisle shuffled their pack;  Prop Martin Kalinowski retired with Biff McGimpsey moving up from the second row, Dan Smithson from the flank took over from McGimpsey, allowing Gareth Wylie to join the fray from the bench.   There was no disruption to the flow of the game  -  well not in the early stages of the second period at least!  Grant Connon had the chance to add a penalty within five minutes but the effort went wide.  Both teams continued where they had left off, Carlisle trying to increase their stranglehold, and the students endeavouring to find a way through a stubborn defence.

The game was intense and after sixty six minutes the home side served notice that they were not going to cave in without a fight and landed seven points to close the gap.  Within a minute though, Boyd went off on a run down the right, found his way through the defence and touched down between the posts, Connon making it thirty three points for Carlisle.   The last ten minutes were tense though with the students continuing to close the gap with two converted tries, the last with a minute remaining.  Carlisle held out though for a creditable victory that helped their cause to avoid the drop!  The result helped their cause, lifting them three slots in the league placings;  but let no one get carried away.  With some teams having finished their programme, or with less games to play than Carlisle, three games remaining (two at home) makes for a grandstand finish to the season.

Their destiny is in their own hands but if they show the same grit and determination that was evident on this trip to the north east, then they will enjoy the fruits of their efforts.

Cleckheaton come to Warwick Road on Easter Saturday, with promotion for them now no more than a dream.  Kick off is at 3.00 pm and the team would benefit from plenty of support.

STARTING XV & REPLACEMENTS:
15   Lewis Boyd
14   Martin Brodie
13   Chris Harris
12   Luke Boyd
11   Dan Holmes (Joe Blaylock)
10   Grant Connon
9     Max Connon
1     Steve Stamper (C)
2     Graham Kidd
3     Martin Kalinowski (Martin McGimpsey)
4     Callum Grey
5     Martin McGimpsey (Dan Smithson)
6     Dan Smithson (Gareth Wylie)
7     Lee Brumpton
8     Tom Ritchie
16   Gareth Wylie
17   Stuart Graham
18   Joe Blaylock

PICK OF THE PACK:    Lee Brumpton
BEST OF THE BACKS:    Chris Harris
NEXT MATCH:    ON 23/04/2011 – Carlisle V Cleckheaton.  KICK OFF 3.00 pm

Date:            10/04/11
Kick off time:        14:00
Venue:            Penrith
Won / drawn / lost:    Won
Result:            38 v 15
Half time score:    19 v 12

From the start Carlisle started the brighter and had much of the possession. Playing with the breeze the Cobra’s pressured hard on the Keswick defence but couldn’t turn pressure into points until ten minutes in. Matt Bradley going over in the corner. Connon converted with a superb kick.

From here the Carlisle team pressed again and after conceding various penalties Keswick found themselves back under their own posts. A quick tap penalty leading to good hands before Luke Davison scored. Connon couldn’t.

However Keswick hit back through a superb solo effort try leaving the Carlisle lads speechless and the game was wide open again. 12-7 and with less than ten minutes to half time the cobras stepped up a gear again. Some good offload play by Lewis Read led to a try for Joel Davidson. On this occasion Connon again added the extras.

Keswick once again struck back before half time making it 19-12 at half time with everything to play for.

Into the second half and Carlisle started well, putting together some good attacking play. Keswick closed the gap with a penalty six minutes gone but this was to be their only score of the half. Carlisle number 13 Luke Davison capitalised on some slack Keswick defence to score wide out completing his hat-trick under the posts with ten minutes remaining.

With only 5 minutes left on the clock, Guy Wilkinson got on the score sheet with a superb solo effort from inside his own half. Brett Connon converted making the final score 38-15.
A very well deserved victory for the Cobras topping off a fantastic season.

Date:            10th April 2011
Kick off time:        1.00 pm
Venue:            Penrith
Won / drawn / lost:    Won
Result:            5 v 7
Half time score:    15 v 12

In an intensely close fought match Carlisle U13′s scored in the last play of the game to beat Kirkby Lonsdale 15 – 12 In the County Cup Final at Penrith last Sunday.  Kirkby arrived without having lost a game all season or conceding any tries all this year.

The first half saw Kirkby Lonsdale controlling with their strong pack pegging Carlisle back well into their half, after 15 minutes their tenacity saw them break through for a try, which they duly converted.  The game continued with some great play from the forwards and the backs of both teams, with nothing between them.

It was all the more impressive when you consider the sweltering conditions all the boys were playing in.  Determined play from Carlisle’s forwards eventually saw them drive close to the line and despite strong defensive work from Kirkby, front row Max Graham used all his strength to drive over for Carlisle’s first try, which did not get converted. 

7-5 to Kirkby at half time.

The second half continued the same as the first but strong running from the Kirkby backs saw them run in a fine second try.  The conversion was missed.

Carlsisle then responded by starting to pin Kirkby back into their own half and in the hot conditions Carlisle appeared to take the upper hand with posession.  Better rucking and getting posession at scrums eventually saw Carlisle centre Matty Douglas drive over for Carlisles’ second, which was not converted. 12-10, to Kirby Lonsdale.

Proud winners

Carlisle played it out wide and from another free kick, first Max Graham drove for the line only to be repelled, then James Telford had a go and finally flanker Josh Atkinson used his small frame to drive and then roll over, to place the ball across the line for Carlisle’s third try. 

Unfortunately, Struan Kyle’s conversion kick which was out wide just dropped short of the posts, but it didn’t matter – it was the last play of the game and Carlisle had won! 15-12.

A great game fought in very difficult conditions and credit to both Clubs.

A tremendous effort for all involved in the Carlisle Team and a reflection of all the effort that has gone on this year as the team has gradually had to built itself up from a difficult start.  Well done.

Report sent in by:        G Telford

Date of match:        09/04/2011
TEAM:                1st XV         
MATCH:            Carlisle v Pontefract
(League/Cup/Other):    North 1 East League
RESULT:            16 pts v 24 pts
HALF TIME SCORE:    10 pts v 13 pts

Carlisle have only themselves to blame for this both unexpected and unwanted reverse on home soil against Pontefract.  Fielding a team back to what some would deem to be near full strength, more was anticipated, but it was not to be!

The home side opened fairly brightly and there was optimism that a possible outcome would bring safety at Level 6 for next season.  Instead, they have left themselves fighting for survival.

No excuses, the best side on the day won.

SCORERS:          
Tries:    Grant Connon (1)
Cons:    Grant Connon (1)
Pens:        Grant Connon (3)
DG’s        -

STARTING XV & REPLACEMENTS:
15   Max Connon (James Clarke)
14   Martin Brodie
13   Chris Harris
12   Luke Bell
11   Dan Holmes
10   Grant Connon
9     Joe Blaylock (Max Connon)
1     Steve Stamper
2     Tom Graham
3     Martin McGimpsey
4     Mark Barron (C)
5     Paul Halliday
6     Lee Brumpton
7     Bobby Sherlock (Ed Faulder)
8     James Merton (Dan Smithson)
16   Dan Smithson
17   Ed Faulder
18   James Clarke

NEXT MATCH:    ON 12/04/2011 Wigton V Carlisle (Cumbria Cup) KICK OFF 6.30pm

Date:            10/4/2011
Kick off time:        11am
Venue:            Wigton (County Cup Final)
Won / drawn / lost:    Won
Result:            17 v 5
Half time score:    12 v 5

A glorious day for rugby found the under 16′s starting the club off on a potential hat-trick of cup final wins, with the under 13′s and under 15′s playing later on at Penrith.

Things didn’t start too well though as a lively Penrith side put the Carlisle side on the backfoot, with some foraging play down the right, resulting in a try in the right corner with barely 5mins on the clock.

Credit though to the Carlisle side that they didn’t drop their heads and the forwards were quickly making inroads into the Penrith half, with some good running and offloading from Alex Murray and James Bulman.

The Carlisle side were unlucky not to quickly cancel out the Penrith score when Shepherd lost control of the ball as he was about to dive over the line.

The drop out was soon returned back into the Penrith 22 and with some good hands across the back line Dean Kirsopp was able to break through two tackles to put the Carlisle side level.

This seemed to give the Carlisle side a significant boost and Penrith were having to defend for long periods in their own half. With Carlisle gaining a scrum in the Penrith 22, stand-in scrum half Eric Shaddock, who had barely 2 weeks to learn the position, set the backs off across the left side of the pitch to put Jack Walker in on the left touchline for their second try, converted by Andy Glendinning.

The first half finished with Carlisle trying hard to put pressure on the determined Penrith defence, but were unable to convert this into any further points.

Carlisle started the second half a lot brighter than the first, and the back row of Stuart Cannon, Jack Mitchell and Ben Atkinson were soon creating some ball for the backs to work with. Penrith were having to defend desperately to prevent the Carlisle side scoring again. and trying to work the ball out of a ruck earned our Captain a spell in the sin bin for his efforts.

The next 10 minutes saw Penrith renew their attack on the depleted Carlisle side as they tried to press home their advantage. Only some desperate defending prevented the Penrith side scoring.

With Carlisle seeing out the storm, some inspired tactical kicking by Glendinning put the Carlisle side deep into the Penrith 22m. With the forwards again working hard to secure ball, they worked it wide across the pitch, allowing Mitchell to score a throughly deserved third Carlisle try.

Penrith were never allowed to get back into the game and Carlisle finished the match much the stronger side.

This was a solid performance by the Carlisle side, underlining their improvement as a team this season.

Thanks go to Steve Alecock, Ben Blain, Phil Healey and Chris Kirsopp, for their coaching input this season.

Report sent in by:  Bill Glendinning

Date of match:        02/04/2011
TEAM:            1st XV         
MATCH:            Carlisle v West Hartlepool
(League/Cup/Other):    North 1 East
RESULT:            15 pts v 39 pts
HALF TIME SCORE:    10 pts v 15 pts

Carlisle are finding it hard at the moment to get any return from their matches, and if they are not careful, they may find themselves dragged into the relegation battle, with three teams dropping out at the end of the term.  Losing this encounter with table toppers, West Hartlepool, may well have been expected by some, and although the final score seems a wide margin, perhaps the game the city side put together was not as bad as the result suggests.

Hampered at the outset by selection problems because of work committments and injuries, Carlisle fielded (and that it not a reflection on those that did play) a below strength side.  Credit though to those that took to the field;  they gave their all to the cause, although in the end it was not enough.

With five regulars missing from their pack, the front eight did not allow themselves to be bullied by their loftier opponents.  By no means did WH have it their own way, despite their greater bulk.

Not to detract from their consistency this season, West were by no means the best side seen at Warwick Road, and if they succeed with their promotion ambitions, then they will need to strengthen if they hope to stay at the next level!

Within a minute of play resuming Carlisle suffered a reverse when the visitors took a converted try.  The game was fairly evenly matched with the home side matching anything that was thrown at them.  WH lost flanker Jon Boatman at the mid point in the half with a suspected broken leg.  Grant Connon reduced the deficit a couple of minutes later and then on twenty eight minutes, following a scrum ten metres out, scrum half Joe Blaylock escaped attention and dummied through the defence to put his side ahead with a try converted by Connon.

The advantage was short lived though, with the north east men pulling level through a penalty.  Just as it looked as though Carlisle would go into the break with honours even, they ceded a try wide out on the right in added time.  10 pts to 15 pts.
After the rest, Carlisle started brightly.  Good work by flanker Mark Allan, set winger Martin Brodie away down the right to level the score, but a conversion eluded Connon on this occasion.

Carlisle stuck gallantly to their game and were testing the visiting defence on occasions, but too many wrong options denied them chances to improve their lot.  Although WH added a couple of tries early in the second period, the home side were always in the hunt, until the latter stages when two more tries killed them off.

Carlisle have five games remaining, three of them at home, and two of the latter against teams below them.  So, salvation rests in  their own hands!  The task will be a tough one, with Pontefract, at Warwick Road next week, having closed on Carlisle with a great win (including a bonus point) on Saturday.

Before the start of the match on Saturday, Robson’s Medical Services of Brunswick Street,  presented the club with a portable heart defibrilator.  Hopefully, it will never have to be used, but the club are very grateful for the great generosity shown to them by the company.  Physiotherapist, Jen McCreadie accepted the machine on behalf of the club.

SCORERS:          
Tries:    Joe Blaylock (1), Martin Brodie (1)
Cons:    Grant Connon (1).
Pens:        Grant Connon (1).
DG’s

STARTING XV & REPLACEMENTS:
15   Max Connon
14   Martin Brodie
13   Chris Harris (Simon Little)
12   Luke Bell
11   Barry Earl
10   Grant Connon
9     Joe Blaylock
1     Steve Stamper (C)
2     Stu Graham
3     Martin McGimpsey (Callum Hermeston)
4     Paul Halliday
5     Eddie Faulder (Martin McGimpsey)
6     Mark Allan (Josh Holmes)
7     Bobby Sherlock
8     Tom Ritchie
16   Simon Little
17   Callum Hermeston
18   Josh Holmes

PICK OF THE PACK:    Paul Halliday
BEST OF THE BACKS:        Grant Connon
NEXT MATCH:    ON 09/04/2011 – Carlisle V Pontefract – KICK OFF 3.00 pm