Carlisle under 15s travelled to Preston for what promised to be a tough fixture.

The game started briskly and Carlisle set about establishing early control with strong rucking and determined tackling. Preston seemed taken aback by this start and after five minutes Elliott Baines was able to complete a determined run through several tackles and into the corner for a try in his first game since early November.

James Spencer slotted the conversion. For the next twenty minutes a very even contest continued with Preston determined to stay in the game.

Their pressure paid off as desperate Carlisle defending gave away two penalties from which an equalising try came. Carlisle immediately came back and worked their way back up to the five metre line for Christian White to dive over the line as a prop should and finish the half at 12 – 5.

The second half saw changes on both sides and one or two of the Preston subs made a difference to the determination levels and the angles of running.The first 15 minutes saw Preston get a try from a period of sustained attacking pressure, another from a break out in their own 22 and, as Carlisle’s lack of recent match action told as some players tired, a third unanswered try finished the scoreline at 22 – 12 to Preston.

Despite the scoreline a splendid travelling performance and an encouraging debut for Owen Mitchell which promises good things for the future.

Date:            29/1/12
Kick off time:        11.00am
Match:            Preston Grasshoppers  v Carlisle
Venue:            Preston
Won / drawn / lost:    Lost
Result:            22 v 12
Half time score:    5 v 12
 
     
Report sent in by:        Peter Fulton
    

Cougars Captain Lisa Ritchie has been selected for the Scotland women’s rugby squad to face England this Sunday in the 6-nations.

Selected for the Scotland Women's squad

Ritchie, Carlisle Cougars fly-half, made her Scotland debut in last years six-nations, and has been working hard with the Scotland squad over the year to develop her game and impress their new head coach Karen Findlay.

The Scotland squad has developed over the year, with new players coming in, and all players being asked to raise their performance.

They are looking forward to challenging both England and France at home. Sunday’s game will be played at Lasswade RFC, at 17.00 hours. Free entry.
 
More information

Scottish Women’s Rugby – Official website

It is with regret that we report the sudden passing of Barbara Tiffen, wife of our former president, John Tiffen.  Barbara died at the Eden Valley Hospice on Thursday, 26th January after a short illness.  Barbara was always very supportive of John during his rugby career, and obviously she will be badly missed by all her family.
 
Her death brings the total to five people associated with the club that we have lost in as many months  -  Bill Swarbrick, Phil and David Burnett and Liz Inch (who was cremated earlier this week).
 
The funeral arrangements for Barbara had not been finalised at the time of writing but it is thought likely that it will be at Carlisle Crematorium on the afternoon of Thursday, 2nd February.   Watch the local press for final details please.
 

A tense and tough encounter!
 
Warwick Road was host to a war of attrition this weekend as Carlisle played local rivals Wigton.

 Both sides have shown improvements after a dismal start to the season which saw Carlisle and Wigton at the foot of the table.  However, with Wigton still very much in the drop zone and Carlisle now gaining momentum in mid-table, the Warwick Road side were favourites going into the game.

This did not deter the visitors by any means, and despite the muddy conditions, there were times when both sides looked dangerous in attack.

The game started with both teams seeking to wear down their opposition: this was not going to be a game of beautiful rugby. Carlisle kicked off, and duly started to make their way up field. Wigton were strong in defence, but Carlisle managed to edge their way up into Wigton’s half, retaining possession for the first 10 minutes of the game.

Carlisle’s centre Matt Tinsley was carried off injured after a ruck collapsed on top of him, and replaced by Luke Bell. 

With Carlisle deep in Wigton’s half, the home side was awarded a penalty for infringements at the ruck, enabling fly-half Glen Weightman to open the scoring at 3-0 to Carlisle. Wigton came back with a purpose, however, and effective rucking and attacking backs play saw them in Carlisle’s half, where they forced a penalty from the home side. 

Carlisle’s number eight Lee Brumpton was penalised for lying on the ball in the ruck, and subsequently shown a yellow card.

Full back Greg Scott was able to secure the points, equalising for Wigton on 28 minutes. Although at times both sides showed indiscipline, it was Wigton who were to suffer the most, allowing seven penalty attempts at their goalposts by the home side. Wigton did seek to take advantage of a 14-men Carlisle side, spinning the ball wide continuously before seeking to break through the home side’s mid-field.

Carlisle remained resolute in defence, and at times even made inroads into Wigton’s half, despite the disadvantage.



Carlisle’s second penalty attempt came in the 34th minute as the home side forced a penalty from the scrum. 
Weightman was left disappointed, however, as the ball just narrowly edged wide of the posts, thanks largely to the jeers of a large Wigton support.  Just before half-time, he was able to make amends, as a further Wigton indiscipline led to another penalty, which Weightman was able to secure with ease.



This left the score 6-3 going into half-time. 

The second half saw a rise in intensity as both sides found opportunities to swing the ball out wide, and both sides made use of their powerful forwards. It wasn’t long before the penalty count once again began to mount up, and within five minutes Wigton again conceded a penalty. This provided Carlisle with the chance to substitute the injured Callum Rowlandson with Dan Smithson, who came into the second row.

Weightman wasn’t able to secure a further three points, however, as the ball again just edged wide of the posts. 

As the game wore on, Carlisle were able to absorb furious pressure from the Wigton pack A penalty 10 metres from Carlisle’s try line was taken by the forwards as they made an attempt for a score.  Carlisle worked well under pressure however, and some fierce counter-rucking allowed Weightman to kick Carlisle to safety. 


Wigton were soon back in Carlisle’s half, although briefly, and this time they managed to come away with points. 
Another penalty allowed Wigton’s Greg Scott to equalise, in what would be the visitor’s last points of the game. 
On 60 minutes, Lee Brumpton was substituted for Eddie Faulder, who came into the second row, allowing Dan Smithson to resume his preferred position in the back row. 

The last quarter of the game was characterised by both teams upping the tempo in a bid to secure victory.

As with any local derby, both teams were matched in intensity, despite their current league positions. It was Carlisle who then managed to edge ahead, taking advantage of the visitor’s mistakes at the breakdown, which were penalised. This allowed Glen Weightman to take a further three points off Wigton, putting Carlisle ahead 9-6, and a few minutes later added another penalty.

At 12-6, and with only minutes left of the game, Wigton fought frantically to find Carlisle’s try line, but the city side again proved too strong for their local rivals, and absorbed the attack.

Another loss means Wigton are still mired in the relegation zone, 2nd from bottom.  With Aspatria winning this weekend, the gap between the two sides is closing rapidly, with a much improved Anselmians pulling away above them.

Carlisle on the other hand, are now edging their way in mid-table, and a few more league wins should be enough to maintain a comfortable distance from the drop-zone.

Next week Carlisle are away at Broughton Park, while Carlisle 2nd XV host Trafford Metrovick at home.

Carlisle 12 pts Wigton 6 pts
RFU SSE North 1 West League
Saturday 28th January 2012

 
Scorers for Carlisle:   Pens:        Glen Weightman (4)
 
Carlisle Man of the Match:  Mark Barron – second row

The Carlisle XV & replacements:
 
15    Lewis Boyd
14    Dan Holmes
13    Barry Earl
12    Matt Tinsley (Luke Bell)
11    Martin Brodie
10    Glen Weightman
9      Tim Hughes
1      Joe Anderson
2      Tom Graham
3      Martin McGimpsey
4      Mark Barron
5      Callum Rowlandson (Ed Faulder)
6      Lee Brumpton (Dan Smithon)
7      Bobby Sherlock (C)
8      Gareth Wylie
 
15    Ed Faulder
17    Dan Smithson
18    Luke Bell
 

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

The next RFU Club Development Workshop will be held at Egremont Rugby Club on Wednesday, 22nd February from 2.00 pm to 8.00 pm and  all clubs are invited to send representatives.
 
Follow the links to all the information and pick the sessions thought to be most useful.

RFU Club Development Workshops 2012

First Aid courses have been arranged for the benefit of member clubs.  The courses are at the end of January and also in February and March.
 
Please click on the PDF below for the full details.
 
The usual club conditions for anyone wishing to attend will apply.

First aid courses in Cumbria

City side extract revenge
 
Early season defeat by one point at Warwick Road was on the minds of the Warwick Road men on their second trip of the season to the south Merseyside area.    After a shocking start to the season, Carlisle have been gradually improving and whilst not overconfident, the self belief that has been restored stood them in good stead at Wirral.
 
Work committments and injuries were reflected in changes to the starting line up with Barry Earl coming into the centre to replace Simon Little (injured) and Lee Brumpton coming in at eight for Gareth Wylie (work).

RFU SSE North 1 West League
Saturday, 14th January 2012
 
Scorers for Carlisle:
 
Tries:        Lee Brumpton (1), Tim Hughes (1).
Cons:        Glen Weightman (1).
Pens:        Glen Weightman (2).
 
Man of the Match: Scrum half Tim Hughes – apart from his match winning try, he was an inspiration throughout the game.
 
Carlisle squad:
 
15    James Rocke (Matthew Minett)
14    Dan Holmes
12    Barry Earl
12    Matt Tinsley
11    Martin Brodie
10    Glen Weightman
9      Tim Hughes
1      Joe Anderson
2      Tom Graham
3      Martin McGimpsey
4      Mark Barron
5      Callum Rowlandson
6      Tom McCullough
7      Bobby Sherlock
8      Lee Brumpton (Dan Smithson)
 
16    Ed Faukder
17    Dan Smithson
18    Matt Minett
 
Next match:
 
After a free Saturday next week, the local derby with Wigton at Warwick Road looms on 28th January 2012  -  2.15 pm.  Wigton will be looking to avenge the result at Lowmoor Road earlier in the season.
 

Carlisle under 15s returned to action for their first game since November.

Wigton started very strongly and in the first five minutes capitalised on some slow defending to push over a forwards try within the first 5 minutes.

A well taken conversion saw the lead move to 7 before Carlisle shook off the Christmas turkey and got back into the game. A couple of moves close to the line were held out by Wigton at the expense of a penalty from which the ball was shipped out to Daniel Gisborne who touched down happily.

Sam Widness heading for the line

Half time saw no further score but a shuffle round from the Carlisle bench and the beginning of a comeback. Sam Windess got the first of a pair of tries with a lovely run through and into the left hand corner.

Wigton responded well and made good ground before Vince Lung capped a splendid first performance at scrum half when he picked up at the back of a scrum just past the half way line and made it all the way to the try line.

Same makes it all the way!

Carlisle kept possession from the kick off and after a couple of rucks freed the ball sublime handling from Harry Grant got the ball out wide to Windess who held of the pursuit to push the score on to 20-7 in favour of the visitors.

All credit to Wigton who kept their heads up and their forays going right to the final whistle but they were unable to find any further points.
 
Date:            8/1/2012
Kick off time:        11.00am
Match:            Carlisle v Wigton
Venue:            Wigton
Won / drawn / lost:    Won
Result:            20 v 7
Half time score:    5 v 7
     
Report sent in by:        Peter Fulton

In his programme notes for the game the skipper, Mark Barron implored the players to win the match so that the victory could be dedicated to the memory of David Burnett, a former president of the club and who died just before Christmas.

Two teams from Carlisle, the Liverpool St Helens teams and Moresby, who were playing the Hornets, gathered in front of the grandstand and a minutes silence was observed before the games kicked.

David would have been proud of the way victory was deservedly delivered on the day.

Carlisle widened the void above relegation zone with this victory.
 The Warwick road side earned a 23-18 victory against Liverpool St Helens, who had beaten Carlisle 52-0 earlier this season. The match was another milestone in Carlisle’s continued improvement, with heavy forwards play coupled with superb attacking play from the back line.


Although the match was fought fiercely by both teams, it was clear from the onset that Carlisle intended to make amends for the previous encounter between the two sides. Carlisle kicked off, though it wasn’t long before they gained possession from Liverpool.

A knock on led to a Liverpool scrum, and an early engage led to a Carlisle penalty on the visitor’s 22 metre line. Rather than kick for three points, Glen Weightman spotted a gap and opted for a cross field kick to Carlisle’s left wing, where Liverpool St Helens were caught unaware.

The ball bounced over the visitor’s try line, and just before it entered the dead ball area, Barry Earl was able to touch down. Weightman was able to convert the first in what was to be a 100% success rate for the Carlisle fly-half on the afternoon.


The Cumbrians dominated much of the first quarter, only allowing their Merseyside counterparts the odd counter-attack. 
Carlisle forced another penalty as Liverpool attempted to wheel the scrum, which ended up collapsing.


On 19 minutes, Weightman was able to make it 10-0 to Carlisle.
Although Carlisle started strongly, St Helens began to claw their way into the game, and some fast paced forwards work saw their second row Dave Westhead gain five points, despite the cries of ‘held up’ by the home supporters.

Strong winds and the difficulty of the kick meant the try went unconverted.
Despite the weather, Liverpool swung the ball out through their backs, trying to find holes in the Carlisle defence.
On one occasion, Liverpool managed to break through Carlisle’s defence with a two man overlap, but threw the ball forward for a Carlisle scrum. 
The home side remained resolute, however, and a counter-attack provided a penalty for infringements at the ruck.

Weightman was able to secure another 3 points for his side.
Liverpool did manage to come away with some points, as a penalty inside Carlisle’s half was tipped over by full-back Matt Cunliffe.
The score was 13-8 going into half-time. 
Following the break, both teams knew that the second half would be a battle. 
Carlisle were desperate to win over the highly placed visitors and Liverpool were left wondering how they were losing to a side they so easily beaten in September. 
Both teams started strongly, and throughout the second half took turns camping in each other’s half.


It was Liverpool who would eventually break the deadlock, as winger Ian Stanley managed to step round Carlisle’s defence.
A quick pass to Dave Westhead allowed him his second try, which again went unconverted, leaving the score at 13 apiece.
It wasn’t long before Carlisle retook the lead however, as a the home side were awarded a penalty 10 metres from the visitors try line on the right wing, which Weightman stepped up to improve.


The home supporters had their hearts in their mouths as the ball just scraped in, bouncing off the post and once again taking Carlisle into the lead.
With the score now at 16-13, Carlisle began to apply pressure to Liverpool’s defence.
There were brief periods where the visitors tried to clear their line by kicking defensively, only to have the ball returned to their half by Carlisle’s back three.


The game of aerial ping pong quickly turned into a stalemate, until Carlisle took the initiative and once again drove forward into the Liverpool defence.
Second rower Callum Rowlandson set up a driving maul just 10 metres from St Helen’s try line, and the Carlisle pack surged forward.
As Carlisle gained more ground, captain Mark Barron (man of the match) was tackled while he held the ball at the back of the maul.


Referee Alistair Jones awarded a penalty try, which Weightman duly converted. 
Josh Holmes came on as flanker for Tom McCullough, who had made his debut 1st XV appearance, and was a huge presence in the line-outs. 
Alex Neil also came for Joe Anderson at loosehead, but was sin-binned in the 78th minute, just four minutes after coming on.


Carlisle’s victory was not to be a fairytale finish, as Liverpool sought to answer with a try of their own.
Using a quick succession of ‘pick and gos’, St Helens came within 5 metres of the Carlisle try line. 
Further indiscipline led to another yellow card being awarded to Carlisle’s front-row, as hooker Tom Graham was disciplined for killing the ball.

Thankfully, the need for uncontested scrums didn’t arise as the game was in its dying embers.
Carlisle attempted to kick to safety but were forced to run into the opposition’s defence. 
Following a turn over ball, Liverpool shipped the ball out wide where Ian Stanley was able to cross over on the right wing.
The conversion was missed, leaving the final score 23-18 to Carlisle.
Man of the match was Glen Weightman, who with a 100% kicking success rate, and not to mention a try-scoring cross field kick, was pivotal in Carlisle’s success.


Carlisle now sit nine points above Anselmians, who are struggling in the relegation zone.
Next week is another tough game for Carlisle, as they are away to Widnes, who sit 2nd in the table.
With a series of home games lined up, including Wigton and Aspatria, Carlisle can now look forward and keep building on the momentum of recent results.

Saturday, 7th January 2012
RFU SSE North 1 West League
 
Scorers for Carlisle:
 
Try            Barry Earl
Cons         Glen Weightman (2)
Pens         Glen Weightman (3)
Pen. try    (1)
 
Carlisle team:
 
15    James Rocke
14    Barry Earl
13    Simon Little
12    Matt Tinsley (Ross Olney)
11    Martin Brodie
10    Glen Weightman
9      Tim Hughes
1      Joe Anderson (Alex Neil)
2      Tom Graham
3      Martin McGimpsey
4      Mark Barron (C)
5      Callum Rowlandson
6      Dan Smithson
7      Tom McCullough (Josh Holmes)
8      Gareth Wylie
 
16    Alex Neil
17    Josh Holmes
18    Ross Olney