The headline score probably gives you the impression that Carlisle weren't in this game, and thats pretty much true for most of the first half. Its obvious to see that the investment Vale have put in this side is paying dividends, with promotion probably in the bag already, barring any unforeseen hiccups along the way. Their skillset and interplay from 1-15 meant that the Warwick road side were on the backfoot for long periods, and even when they did try to go forward,the Lancastrian's defence and counterattack were decisive. With just over half an hour gone and 6 converted tries in the bag for Vale, Carlisle were looking at their biggest defeat of the season unfolding in front of them.

A couple of seasons ago, we'd probably have been looking for a calculator by the end of the match, yet there is something about this squad, probably learned over the last 18 months, that you simply don't give up. Whether Vale just took the foot of the gas(unlikely given the exhortations of their Captain), or Carlisle just stuck at it and found a way to get back into the game, it was the Cumbrians who ended the half on the front foot. They drove Vale up the park and were camped inside their 22 for the rest of the half. Scrum Half James Telford was desperately unlucky not to be awarded a try in the left corner, but eventually after a lot of effort by the pack, a series of pick and go's from a line out on the right, drove Jack Freshwater over right at the end of the half.

With 4min gone of the second half, Vale's talisman winger Hall, jinked his way through the centre of the defence and bagged his second of the day, and the fears of a cricket score unfolding returned. Yet Carlisle continued to push forward against Vale and following a series of a scrums and the benefit of another penalty in the offing, Captain Tom Graham managed to force his way across the try line for another Carlisle score to steady things. That would be the pattern of the second half, as a lot of it was played in the Vale half, with a brief interlude when they scored another breakaway try.

Carlisle finished the game camped inside the Vale 22, just as they had in the first half, but with little to show for it. There was the faint hope that if Carlisle could find a way through the Vale defence, a third try might lead to a fourth, and the chance of something out of the match.However by the time the referee eventually lost patience with the home side for their penalty count inside their 22, it was too late for Carlisle to capitalise on the extra man, and the game was gone.

Reflecting on the performance after the match Head coach David Stout said "
Despite the disappointing scoreline there were some encouraging signs not least almost drawing the second half and showing an excellent resilience against a very good Vale side.
Their accuracy, confidence and organisation were a credit to them. If we maintain the levels set during the second half going forward we will be fine.
Next week’s game is now a vital one given our respective league positions and one that we really need to win"

Did the better side win? Absolutely, and there can be no complaints from Carlisle in that regard, although in this game you make your own luck, and Carlisle didn't get their share of it today. Their second half performance more than made up for their first, and if they can take that effort into games for the rest of the season, they'll finish the season well.

Next week we welcome Rochdale to Warwick road, and with the greatest respect to them, we'll be looking for a good performance to put our first W on the stats board for 2018.