Match Report - Under 15s v Egremont

Carlisle under 15s were able to turn out a near full strength squad with Tinashe Chickowore, Thomas Maughan, Lewis Ford, Nathaniel Mossop, Niall Kennedy, Euan Noble, Lewis Wilkinson, Morgan Kasiera, Seamus Edwards, Paul Harrison, Harry Hetherington, Euan Forlow, Adam Willis, Harry Reid, William Wiggins, Oliver Burns, Charlie Walker, Daniel Laval, Oliver Walton and County Cup debutantes William Clark, Callum Steele and Jamie Smith.

The game was played in perfect conditions with only a light wind for the players to contend with. From the kick off Carlisle put down a marker of their intent with a try after only 1 minute from Adam Willis which was converted by Harry Hetherington.
As expected Egremont came back hard against Carlisle and after some gritty determined play were able to equalise after 13 minutes with their own converted try. What followed was determined forward play by Carlisle who were out rooking and showing real desire to win the ball at the breakdown. This was rewarded at the 17 minute mark with Adam Willis’ second try of the day which again was converted by Harry Hetherington.

As expected there was no putting Egremont down who had obviously travelled to Carlisle with the intent to make a real competition of the cup tie because only 4 minutes later they scored their second try of the day with the conversion being narrowly missed.
The half time whistle had Carlisle ahead 14 points to Egremont’s 12.

The second half started with the same if not more determination shown by both sides not wishing to throw in the towel but after only three minutes of the second half Carlisle went further ahead after a terrific individual run from his own 10 metre line by winger William Wiggins who out ran some fast Egremont defenders to score in the corner. Again Egremont were not to be out played and only 3 minutes later were able to claw back seven points with their own converted try.

After a number of substitutions by Carlisle Adam Willis was able to make it a hat trick of tries when in the 11th minute of the second half he scored. Egremont would not give up the fight at this stage and came back hard against Carlisle who had to spend several minutes camped near their own line defending everything that Egremont could throw at them but at the 17th minute Egremont were able to breach the Carlisle defences and scored their 4th try of the day.

From then on it opened up and some terrific rugby in attack and defence was displayed by both sides but Carlisle were able to score their last try when full back Oliver Burns ran in to score with 23 minutes gone.

Carlisle may have thought they had done enough to see off Egremont but the west coast side showed strength of character and just kept up the pressure when in the 27th minute of the second half they were able to score a converted try.

With only three points separating the teams the last few minutes were not only a tense affair for the players and coaches but the spectators were also caught up in the thrilling finale of the last two minutes with Egremont throwing everything against Carlisle who were able to with stand the attacking pressure with their usual determined defence until the referee blew the final whistle with the final score Carlisle 34 - Egremont 31.

Carlisle now go into the Under 15 County Cup with a home game against old rivals Penrith.

Report by Ian Mossop