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U15s v Cockermouth

The Under 15’s travelled to Cockermouth looking for their first win of 2010, with high stakes to play for in a delayed County Cup match.

Playing in perfect weather conditions, against a glorious backdrop of the Lakeland fells, the visitors had a slow start as nerves were clearly getting the better of them. Playing on a surface that mimicked the contours of the ball they were playing with, we struggled to get into a game that Cockermouth were clearly determined to win, and only some desperate defensive work and a little luck allowed us to clear our lines. Whilst our photographer struggled to fit his periscope attachment to see the other side of the pitch, a clearance kick from fly half Ben Shadwick allowed us to press forward into the Cockermouth half for the first time. Following a series of infringements and penalties, centre Andy Glendinning decided to forego the easy kick for 3 points and released Jack Mitchell with a tap and go to power over for our opening try which Andy converted. Cockermouth quickly pressed forward from the re-start using all the local knowledge of the slopes and contours of the pitch. Carlisle were penalised a number of times for infringements at the ruck, and a 10m tap and go penalty was nearly converted into a try but for some sterling work by James Bulman to get under the Cockermouth player. Carlisle had to soak up a lot of pressure from the eager Cockermouth forwards, who were gaining the upper hand in the scrums. Defensively the Carlisle forwards were able to repel the attacks, and good work from Harry Manton, Stewart Cannon, and Chris Marsh allowed the ball to be stolen and let Ben Shadwick clear his lines for a breather and a counterattack. With the ball flighted over the Cockermouth line up the right hand side a knock on forced a scrum on the Cockermouth 10m line. With the scrum steadied after Reuben Shepherd replaced Tom Carlyle who was struggling with a neck injury, scrum half  Ollie Armstrong fed Ben Shadwick who spotted a half gap and crashed his way through between the posts, but was controversially adjudged held up at the bottom of the pile of bodies. With the visitors now scenting another try, Stewart Cannon picked up from the scrum and driving right pulled the Cockermouth defence with him. The ball was then quickly worked back left and with markers out of position, Jack Mitchell crashed his way through the defence for a try just left of the posts, which Andy Glendinning converted for the last score of the half.

The second half saw the visitors now starting to feel a bit more confident in their abilities. With Cockermouth looking to get on to the score sheet, only some desperate defensive work at times saw Carlisle hold their lines, but some good tackling and teamwork, kept the sheet clean and the home team at bay. The pack were forced to re-arrange after James Bulman was pinned at the bottom of a collapsed scrum with a nasty neck injury, but Rhys Pattinson and a re-juvenated Tom Carlyle were able to stabilise things, and despite pressure from Cockermouth for the last few minutes, the visitors were able to hold out to win. This was a determined effort and good teamwork by the under 15’s which hopefully they can maintain to further their aspirations in the cup competition.

Full match report

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U16s v Keswick

Arctic conditions had ensured that this was only the third outing of 2010 for Carlisle.

The first ten minutes were evenly matched, with neither team dominating.

However, in minutes 17 and 18, Carlisle crossed the Keswick line twice without touching down………….and the pessimists among the Carlisle spectators predicted a Keswick breakaway try…………..and they duly obliged under the posts. The conversion made it 0-7 at half time.

Jim Clark’s half time talk worked wonders……………within minutes; captain Jack Stephenson had forced his way over beneath the posts, allowing an easy conversion for Tom McMann.

Keswick replied with the try of the match, a great solo effort from their centre, who ran from 45 metres diagonally across the pitch avoiding several tackles………to score.

Carlisle then camped in Keswick’s half for 10 minutes until good handling by the backs allowed Jordie Clement to even the scores with a try in the corner.

Sustained Carlisle pressure then followed, finally being awarded when Jordan Ribiero crossed for a try near the right touchline.

Mike Fearon made a great conversion off his “wrong foot”.

The lead was soon consolidated when Mike Fearon slotted home a penalty to make the score 22-12.

Keswick never gave up though, and they fought to the end, their centre scoring his second try with seconds left on the clock.

Carlisle 22-17 Keswick.

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Man of the Match – Jim Clarke (for tactical brilliance)

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Under 14’s v Vale of Lune

Lancashire side Vale of Lune, made the trip up the M6 to Carlisle for a 11.00am kick-off on a rather dull and damp Sunday morning.  Both teams were depleted in numbers, but those who had made themselves available for for the game were involved in an entertaining and very watchable game of rugby.

The Cobras started strongly, pushing through the Vale defence within the first three minutes match. Good handling along the back line lead to Greg Graham going over in the corner for an unconverted try.

The game continued at a steady pace, with Carlisle dominating most of the play, camping in the visitors half for long periods. However in a 11th minute, an unconverted try by Vale’s Alex Hill saw the visitors equalise.  Vale battled hard to try and keep the Cobra’s forwards from making ground, but some slick passing and good hands, saw full back Tom Couthard take the ball at pace over the visitors try line some 5 minutes later, converted by Jason Israel….

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Under 8’s v Kirkby Lonsdale

Sun, 7th Feb 2010

We struggled more this week than probably any match this season, the game was played over three 10 minute games. The format was different to normal as each team had only six plays before handing over possession.

Kirby started stronger as our game for the last couple of months has been about good skills and ball retention not out and out attack.

Kirby attacked more aggressively than we did and it took us several minutes to attack with the same vigour. We went into the final game 9 – 8 down but produced some of our best work of the season to win it comfortably in the end. It is good for the kids to play different formats as it can only help there development.

We would like to than the Kirby players and coach for a great game and hospitality,we look forward to some hard fought matches in the future.

Match score Carlisle won 14 – 11.

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Under 15’s v Vale of Lune

A depleted under 15 squad travelled to Vale of Lune seeking their first win of the New Year. With only 12 players making the journey, the hosts generously loaned us 3 players to make up the numbers.

Vale of Lune pressurised the visitors from the off, and the referee was quick to show he would police the breakdown rigorously. With Carlisle handling in the ruck, the hosts were quick to put 3 points on the board from the resulting penalty.

It wasn’t long though before Carlisle got on the scoresheet, and the hosts were penalised for a similar offence in their half which was brought forward 10m for dissent. From the tap and go the ball was worked left and fly half Andy Glendinning drew the Vale of Lune defence to release Jack Mitchell to power his way over for our first try.

Vale of Lune continued to pressurise the Carlisle defence, but after some good forward play the ball was worked back for Andy to kick over the hosts defence. With Scott Hogarth chasing down the kick and pressurising the hosts fullback into committing a penalty, the resulting quick tap and go was quickly worked across the back line for Wilson Noctor to score…

Full match report

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U14’s v Keswick 24th Jan

The Carlisle Cobras (U14s,) travelled to the Lake District this weekend, to play their first game in five weeks due to the recent inclement weather.

Keswick were our hosts for the 2010 opener, where we received our usual warm welcome from our hosts on what was a very pleasant morning to play rugby. It was decided that the game would be played in three 20 minutes segments to give all the players from both sides a good run out.

The game kicked off with both teams starting strongly, but in the ealry minutes, a penalty was awarded to the Cobras which was successfully dispatched by Brett Connon.  Minutes later a Keswick were awarded a penalty  on the Cobras 22 after  handling in the ruck, Robert Bland stepped up tp bring the scores level.
Keswick continuted very strongly, attacking the visitors in waves, and sustained pressure on the Cobras defence saw Keswick break through to attack the Carlisle try line, unfortunatey the attempt to score was knocked on.
Both teams were playing some good rugby without either side gaining the upper hand when Keswick broke the deadlock to scored the first try of the game on 12 minutes with  Dan Stephenson going over to give the home team a 8 – 5 advantage when  the conversion was narrowly missed.
Sluggishness and lack of support at times from the Cobras forwards, allowed Kesick to gain more possession at the breakdown, but they quickly recovered as the first period  went on.  Increased determination not to be out played, the Cobras started to support  in numbers which resulted in Guy Wilkinson scoring Cobra’s their first unconverted try in the 15th minute.
The Cobras continued to attack the Keswick try line, with the hosts using some good defence strategies but they were unable to stop James Robson cutting through in the closing minutes of the first period to score an unconverted try in the corner.  A good first period was played with both teams testing each others resolve. Carlisle went into the first break, 13 points to  8  up.

The Cobras began the second period very strongly with the forwards starting to dominate much more than they did in the first period.  Eventually, some good rucking saw  the Cobras finally break the deadlock in the 6th minute of the second period when Dan Smales pushed over Keswicks line to score the Cobras third try of the game, which again, was not converted.
Keswicks defence was beginning to get questions asked of them as the Cobras seemed to step up a gear with repeated surging runs at their  defence. Carlisle’s forwards were beginning to recycle the ball quickly, and when the ball went through hands out wide, fullback Tom Coulthard received on the left wing to score in the 11th minute of the second period to see Carlisle gain a 23 – 8 advantage.
The Cobras were now gaining in confidence, and this showed in the way they were moving the ball between the forwards and backs keeping it away from the defending team.  But against the run of play, Keswick’s Alvin Tsoi broke away with an impressive run down the wing to score an unconverted try in the 15th minute of the second period bringing the score back to 23 – 13 as they failed to convert.

Full match report

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Under 15’s v Tynedale

24th Jan 2010

After a 6 week lay off, the under 15’s were looking to blow away the cobwebs with a good performance in a re-arranged match against Tynedale.

The team made a solid start with Andy Glendinning giving his opposing centre a taste of the Tynedale pitch. Carlisle looked as if they had not suffered too much from the lack of match practice and were moving the ball around the backs to try to penetrate the Tynedale defence.

As Wilson Noctor kicked through from within the Carlisle 22, the opposing fullback was placed under pressure by our chasing forwards and with the ball cycled across the backs to the left hand side, fullback Jack Walker penetrated the opposing defence to score the first try.

Straight from the re-start Wilson caught and ran the ball for 40m before being stopped, and although we managed to work the ball left, a punt over the Tynedale defence was narrowly touched down by Tynedale for a 22 drop-out.

Tynedale managed to get into the game though after some passages of play in the middle of the park caught the Carlisle defence flat footed. A kick through our defence resulted in a foot race with the Tynedale winger just managing to get a finger to the ball before Jack Walker. In a copycat move,Tynedale then managed to repeat this a few minutes later with the speedy winger bagging his second try.

With Tynedale beginning to exert some pressure on the Carlisle defence, No 8 Stuart Cannon picked up from the back of a ruck and stormed his way upfield, and was held up on the Tynedale 22m line. With good support work from forwards Chris Marsh and James Bulman, the ball was worked left in front of the Tynedale posts where the home side gave a penalty away. With Tynedale repeatedly infringing and giving away penalties, the ball was cycled out right, for Jack Mitchell to storm over for the second Carlisle try.

Half-time 10-10

The second half started brightly enough for Carlisle, and only a marginal forward pass denied Joel Collins Butterworth an early try, after a good passage of interplay between backs and forwards. Tynedale however continued to use the boot to good effect and another kick and chase resulted in their winger collecting the ball to steal a try under the posts.

Carlisle were not be outdone though and following some aggressive running by Alex Murray, the ball was worked to fly-half Ben Shadwick who kicked through to put the Tynedale fullback under pressure. With Jack Mitchell enveloping him and forcing the spillage, Ben was there to collect the loose ball and score the third Carlisle try, converted by Andy Glendinning.
However Tynedale were not to be denied, and another kick and chase by them resulted in a try in the left corner.

With Carlisle looking to presure  Tynedale  into more errors,  a couple of good chances to win the game resulted in both Wilson Noctor and Andy Glendinning being denied try scoring opportunities by stout Tynedale defence. With only a couple of minutes on the clock, the ball was fed back to Jack Walker whose attempted drop goal, just missed the left upright, and Tynedale then held on to the ball for the rest of the game.

Despite the dissapointment of narrowly losing, this was an encouraging start to the New Year, and the team can look forward to their cup game next week with some confidence.

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Under 10’s v Upper Eden

24th Jan 2010.

Carlisle Under-10’s shook off the cobwebs from their recent weather-related lay off to notch comfortable victories over Millom and Upper Eden.

Bolstered by three players borrowed from the under-nine squad, Carlisle were soon into their stride in the first match against Millom and ran out 11-0 winners. Christian Tait was in scintillating form scoring six tries with Gregory Baines (3), Jack Harrison and Alex Hodgkinson completing the victory.

The team then met a stronger Upper Eden side but after a tight first half they dominated the second period to win 7-2.
Tait continued his strong finishing with three more tries with Baines, Harrison, Hodgkinson and William Maughan also crossing the line.

Both games were high scoring but the bedrock of the victories was strong defence with Hodgkinson and Baines leading the tackle count.

The three under-nine players – Josh Templecox, Josh Liddle and Eddie Lythgoe. – also deserve praise for committed performances which augur well for the future.

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Under 9’s v Upper Eden

24th Jan 2010

A Carlisle Under 9s team started 2010 with a bang at Upper Eden with a three way match against a mixed team of U9s and 10s from Upper Eden and Millom.

The first match was a closely fought game with Upper Eden twice leading in the first half as Carlisle took there time in getting going. At half time the scores were 2-2, with Charlie Skeer’s quick breaks from scrum-half twice keeping Carlisle in it.

Breaks from Dominic Sutton and Jake Whittaker opened up a two try lead for Carlisle and with the forwards beginning to dominate it was an up hill struggle for Upper Eden to get back into the game. Upper Eden managed to pull one back but Carlisle held on with Charlie running the ball dead to end the game.

With the rust out of the players legs, Carlisle dominated the match against Millom winning with a comfortable 8-2 score. Once again Charlie (3), Dominic(3) and Jake(2) scored all the tries but this could not have been achieved without the support of the team and all players contributed whole heartedly, with particular mention to forwards Ethan Longworth and Oliver Ord who were at the heart of every maul, both making surging runs to relieve the pressure, and some big tackles from Lawrie Wilson, Louis Howlieson and Toby Pattinson making it an enjoyable match.

Team: Will Riddell, Thomas Watson, Louis Howlieson, Toby Pattinson, Oliver Ord, Ethan Longworth, Charlie Skeer, Jake Whittaker, Dominic Sutton, Lawrie Wilson

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Under 16’s v Wigton

Neither team had played competitively for about six weeks, thanks to the recent cold spell….so some initial rustiness was only to be expected.
Wigton came with a point to prove after the reverse fixture in November, and started strongly……camping in the Carlisle half for the first five minutes.
Carlisle finally broke out, and the positions were reversed, with Carlisle occupying the visitors 22 for a series of scrums. Wigton knuckled down however and absorbed everything thrown at them.
After 15 minutes, Wigton’s number 8 was yellow carded for an infringement at a ruck.
Two minutes later, Carlisle’s backs finally got some ball that they could use, and Jamie Harrison powered over under the posts for the opening try. Mike Fearon converted.
Just after the restart, Carlisle won a scrum against the head, quick thinking from Alex Clark at number 8 released the backs again, and good handling allowed Jamie Harrison to run in a second try under the posts. Mike Fearon again obliged with the kick.
A spell of pressure from the visitors then saw Carlisle pinned back deep in their own half, this was relieved by a huge punt from Fearon with good chasing by Alex Clark and Alex Taylor. A scrum ensued, and again quick thinking by number 8 Clark, unleashed Mike Fearon who sprinted 40m to score under the posts, allowing himself another easy conversion.
Just before half time, Jamie Harrison completed his hat trick with another powerful run on the left wing to score in the corner.

Half time     Carlisle…..26    0…..Wigton

The second half saw some personnel changes for Carlisle, and James Ord lost no time in getting into the action, making good yards down the left.
The ball was recycled and moved quickly along the line…..when it reached Jack Stephenson, he entertained the crowd with some juggling on the run, before passing to Jordie Clement who scored under the posts, allowing Mike Fearon another easy conversion.
Six minutes into the half Jamie Harrison made another powerful run, recycled to Dom McGrath, who released Alex Clark to score in the corner.
Wigton however, never gave up, and a few minutes later, good forward pressure was rewarded when recycled ball was met by their winger at speed and on a good line, for an unstoppable try.
The remaining quarter of the game was dominated by Carlisle, with further tries from Alex Clark, Jack Stephenson and Alex Taylor completing the scoring, Mike Fearon converting all three.

Final score……….Carlisle 59 – 5  Wigton

Man of the match…………Jamie Harrison

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