Carlisle's County Cup Campaign Continues

Warwick Road hosted the preliminary round of the the Under 15's County Cup between Carlisle and Keswick. It was a wet dismal December morning but the display of heart, attitude and endeavour from both sides was well beyond the elements. The performance which was put in by both teams was worthy of a cup final display. The entertainment, nervous moments and tension enjoyed by all watching was enough to raise blood pressure well above the normal level!

Carlisle kicked off playing with a stiff breeze behind them. Possession exchanged regularly with neither team maintaining the ball for more than a few phases. The Keswick pack dominated the set piece for the first quarter. However the Carlisle pack displayed better rhythm and structure around the park to starve their opponents of any real possession and territory.

Keswick's discipline could have cost them after 13 minutes but Bruce Spencer was unable to convert the goal. Carlisle continued to batter around the fringes but each time the Keswick team pushed them back. Mike Newstead, Toby Huggon, John Short and Josh Park made numerous carries only to be met by a solid green wall to which there was no way through. Eventually, the green sea parted and Carlisle managed to get over the line for an unconverted try and lead 5-0 after 16 minutes.

Keswick responded well from the kick off and started to attack the Carlisle outside backs. The visiting 12 and 13 ran some good lines but Ross Barton, Harry Robertson and Luke Kemp held the attacking threats out. Fullback Ben Davison twice made try saving crunching tackles to which the crowd showed their appreciation. With half time approaching both teams knew that any score in the game would be crucial to determining the outcome. Keswick were penalised for hands in the ruck and their ill discipline cost them further when they did not retreat 10m from the penalty. Bruce Spencer stepped up and slotted a 40 metre penalty between the sticks to give Carlisle an 8-0 cushion at the break.

Both sides departed for water and knew that this game was lying and a knife edge.

From the Keswick kick off Carlisle gathered the ball and attacked upfield through their driving maul. However the failed maul led to Keswick possession and following the scrum some clever kicking allowed them to get deep into Carlisle territory. Eventually influential no.8 Mike Bewley managed to squeeze over in the corner to bring Keswick back into the game at 8-5. The conversion was missed.

This triggered a swift response from the city side and they immediately got back in the act with Matthew Tompkins, Ashley Reid and Jake Evans all making good yards to put the backs on the front foot. Some swift passing from scrum half Spencer led to Josh Watson finding some space behind with the boot. Unfortunately Patrick Noutch just lost out on the foot race but Carlisle had possession deep inside their opponents 22. From the line out the Keswick team cleared their lines but Noutch and Davison ran back hard and the forwards of Fintoni, Short and Newstead continued to support and drive for the line. Carlisle set up camp deep into the Keswick 22 only for a knock on to prevent them from getting over the white line.

A loose clearing kick enabled the Carlisle side to once again find themselves in their opponents quarter and phase after phase went by followed by a penalty. Bruce Spencer was alert and took the quick tap to find the unmarked Mike Newstead who dived over to place the ball down for a 13-5 cushion with 5 minutes remaining. Keswick continued to press hard but by now Carlisle were in control. Dylan Phipps and Mike Scott got in on the act and carried the ball upfield before Spencer lofted the ball into touch for the final whistle.

The game was a great symbol of good Cumbrian rugby played in the right attitude.

Carlisle will look forward to welcoming back to the side the return of Grant Taylor who has been out with an injury. As well as Adam Robinson, Chris Green and Harry Blowing after the christmas break.