They say it is a game of two halves. Well this one definitely had two distinct periods, but the change did not come at half time! On a crisp day and an excellent firm pitch Carlisle retained the ball well from the kick off and made incursion into the visitors half, but a spilt ball was the signal for Mowden to show that they had come to play rugby. For the next quarter of an hour they moved the ball comfortably around and had the home side running in circles. First they broke into the Carlisle 22 retaining possession comfortably and eventually creating space for their strong and pacey right winger to step outside the flailing defence and score in the corner. A fine conversion put them 0-7 after 4 minutes. It got worse for Carlisle. Retaining possession from the kick off, Mowden worked space for their left winger to break deep down the left, and though initially caught power and pace was enough for him to break the defence again and go over for the visitors second try. This time the conversion was missed, but after 6 minutes Mowden were 0-12 to the good and it looked like it could be a long afternoon for the home side.

Mowden continued to move the ball around impressively but mistakes began to creep in as the Carlisle defence in midfield organised better. It became apparent that despite conceding size in the pack the home forwards had the edge in the tight. They dominated an early scrum driving the Mowden 8 back winning a turnover, and they began to play to their strong running forwards, against which the visitors struggled, and gain a much needed foothold in the game. Another Mowden score would surely have been a decisive blow but solid defence kept them at bay and with Carlisle's retention of possession improving they began to make incursions into the visitors half. Mowden conceded a penalty that allowed Carlisle to push into the Mowden 22 and after series of pick and go's it was lock Ollie Lomas who found a gap to crash over for the first Carlisle try on 17 minutes. Harry Hetherington converted and at 7-12 the home side were back in the game.

Back came Mowden. But in the tight Carlisle were beginning to win the battle. From a scrum on their own 22 they created their own space out wide for winger Nathan Greenhow to sprint 50 metres before being hauled down. However once deep into Mowden territory the home forwards again retained possession well and ran determinedly. This time it was lock Ben Duddy who crashed over from short range. Another Hetherington conversion and Carlisle were 14-12 up on 25 minutes despite having been second best in the match to date.

Mowden were clearly flustered, whilst Carlisle were emboldened and enthused. If they were second best in skills terms they were clear winners on the passion and determination front. Determined carrying by the forwards, helped by a couple of Mowden penalty concessions again pushed them into the visitors 22. Lineouts were a bit of a lottery for both sides, but was Carlisle who won the scrap on the floor. Repelled initially by the visitors defence, it was scrum-half James Ennis found a gap and sniped over for a third Carlisle try on 33 minutes which Hetherington again converted. 21-12 at half time.

But this game was far from over. Mowden had shown that given the opportunity they could play with a free flowing style that could tear teams apart. The start of the second period was ding dong battle of cut and thrust matched by determined defence. The visitors kept running back at Carlisle and space was created for their left winger who charged for the line only to be denied by a foot in touch pressured by covering defence as he went to dive over. Mowden set up camp in the Carlisle 22 and pounded the line. Determined and desperate defence kept them out but a series of offside infringements by Carlisle enabled the visitors to maintain the pressure. Eventually the referee lost patience with the home defence and awarded a penalty try for persistent offside. 21-19 on 50 minutes.

But the effort Mowden had put in had taken its toll. Carlisle recovered possession in the Mowden half and by retaining possession or kicking behind them Carlisle pinned the visitors back. On 60 minutes a series of drives sucked the Mowden defence in, and when the ball was moved to the left Euan Forlow ran through a stretched defence for the vital score. Hetherington again added the extras and at 28-19 this was now Carlisle's game to lose.

The restart was vital; cleanly caught and possession retained Carlisle set the tone for the next few minutes as again their forwards made ground through a serious of drives. Mowden were tiring, and it was James Ennis who again spotted a gap to scamper over for a fifth Carlisle try on 66 minutes from the base of a ruck. Hetherington added the conversion for a 100% kicking record and at 35-19 the game was up.

Credit to Mowden who never gave in and could of gained a consolation score at the death, but the Carlisle defence stood firm to close out the win. Ultimately the home sides determination and refusal to be intimidated by the Mowden running game held sway. A great game of Colts rugby.

So it is Carlisle who progress to Round 3, not scheduled until February, when they should be at home to the winners of the Penrith v Stockton game tomorrow. It has been known for the draw to be rearranged to accommodate travel limitations, so we cannot be certain but will look forward to a last 16 tie with relish.