No this is not the start of Putin’s retaliation by marching into Lancashire, nor have Russian tanks been seen trundling down the M6. More an apt description of todays match when Warwick road were treated to another Carlisle 5 point win, this time against second place Blackburn. Although who knows where we stood at the start of the match with St Benedicts pulling out of the league, and all points having to be recalculated.

There was no quick start for Carlisle as the Lancashire side showed why they were in the playoff position, by dominating the Cumbrians for long periods, testing the home defence, but not quite managing to break through. Carlisle had to soak this up for 20 mins, before Blackburn committed a penalty whilst pushing forward, allowing Carlisle to clear their lines.

This seemed to spur Carlisle on and after a scrum penalty to Carlisle after 25mins gave them the opportunity to kick for touch, the resulting catch and drive was moved close enough to the line for Captain Tom Graham to dive over for Carlisle’s first try in the left corner.
This gave the home side confidence to move the ball around and push Blackburn back into their own half. With just 5mins left of the first half, Carlisle won a scrum on the left and No8 Lee Brumpton took the ball up towards the 22m, with close support from flanker Harrison Reay. As the Blackburn defence stopped them on the 22m the ball was swung out wide across the park, for centre Ben Purdham to crash over on the right for Carlisle’s second try, leaving the score at half time 10-0

With barely a couple of minutes on the clock in the second half, Blackburn drove Carlisle deep into their own half and exploiting some gaps in the defence crossed for a converted try to pull the score back to 10-7. Carlisle though kept their composure and pushed Blackburn deep into their 22m. With Carlisle winning a couple of scrums the pressure eventually told on the visitors. Flanker Henry Wainwright picked up from the back of a scrum 10m out, brushed off the Blackburn scrum half and stepped their flanker to storm over for Carlisle’s third try converted by scrum half James Telford.

Carlisle kept the pressure up on the visitors and whilst playing advantage for another Blackburn infringement in the 22m, fly half Jason Israel lofted an inch perfect cross-field kick for winger Greg Baines to catch in the dead ball zone, but in the act of touching down lost possession. It wouldn’t be long though before Baines atoned for his error, from another Carlisle attack as the ball was spread wide right, and the winger skipped past two defenders to score in the right corner.

With just over an hour gone and Carlisle in the ascendency, 22-7 up, bonus point in the bag, what could go wrong?
Well time for the Carlisle home support to break out those defibrillators they now carry, as first Blackburn raced up the park, and were rewarded with a penalty try for a high tackle on the line. Then with 5mins to go Blackburn pushed up again and scored their third in the left corner to leave the score at 22-19.

Time to see who would blink first, and it was Blackburn as they committed a penalty, allowing Carlisle to push up deep into the visitors 22 to gain territory and possession. This was the moment for mature heads, and the home side showed that as they managed the breakdown with a series of rucks that wound the clock down allowing Telford to kick the ball out towards the stand.

This was another resolute performance from Carlisle, thoroughly deserved and builds momentum for the Cumbrians as they seek to secure their league status in North one West for another year. With a couple of last minute changes due to injury to Angus Fulton, and the new arrival of a girl for Max Connon and Charlotte, the balance of the side could have been upset, yet Harrison Reay and Jason Israel filled those positions admirably, and Carlisle showed that they can compete with most teams in this league.

Head Coach David Stout said afterwards "Last Saturday's win was pleasing but this was even better against a top two side. A huge step towards securing this level of rugby for next season. Blackburn are a good side, fighting for promotion, so this was a significant result for us.
The team has really come on well in recent weeks, particularly mentally, playing with greater confidence and no little skill. A good build up to next Saturday's key fixture with Altrincham who are also fighting for league survival. Win that and we should be safe"

Captain Tom Graham later commented "Another much needed win. We once again had a solid first half and nearly let it slip: some solid performances especially in defence. It makes next week even more important."

As that well known American poet Ralph Waldo Emmerson said “Patience and fortitude overcome all things” and this squad have shown that in spades as they followed up three close losses with three bonus point wins, to haul themselves out of the pit of misery, Dilly Dilly. Wins build confidence, and yesterday’s performance showed they have regained that confidence to take on any side in this league.

Back to the ramifications of St Benedicts withdrawing from the league, and we hope they resolve their ground drainage problems which has forced the cancellation of a number of games this season. With the points from each match played against them nulled, and following the matches played this weekend, we are now on equal points with Manchester, but with a game in hand, and 9 points clear of Altrincham Kersal in second bottom place.
Victory against visitors Altrincham next week will secure North One West League status, and this side need no further motivation for next week's game.