Carlisle U14s learned the hard way Sunday, that, knowing exactly what’s coming your way is one thing and executing plans to counter it is another.

Following an excellent breakfast at the club, the squad, coaches and supporters travelled by bus to a breezy but bright Keswick in optimistic mood.

As the game kicked off, Carlisle were immediately on the back foot as Bennies look to run the ball from everywhere and within the first ten minutes, had raced into a 26-0 lead. Any possession Carlisle had was quickly snuffed out by a quick defensive line with “ball and all” tackles whereas, Bennies off - loaded in the contact, keeping the ball live and getting it wide asap.

Had it not been for brave tackling from the likes of Carlisle’s Man Of The Match, Second Row Myles Kasiera along with Okan Adienz and Josh Hope in the centres, the half time score of 36-0 could have been much worse.

The team clearly regrouped during the break and despite an early, full length, breakaway try from Bennies’ excellent number eight, the second half was a much more even affair. This was due in part to Bennies going down to 14 for ten minutes - after what the referee deemed a swinging arm - in a game that was otherwise played in excellent spirit.

Bennies found themselves camped on their own five meter line for long periods as they continued to infringe at the breakdown. Carlisle tapped and went time after time but neither the industrious George Barret or the powerful Tight-head Finn Wright could penetrate the Saints’ line. On the occasions Carlisle shipped the ball into the wide channels, even the lightning quick Huw Lloyd – playing up a year – couldn’t quite finish off the moves. It’s clear that Bennies are rightly just as proud of their well organised, aggressive defence as they are their attack.

A final try - ball sent wide at pace from a scrum – for the West Cumbrian’s, in the last play of the game, stretched the final score to 52-0. That the best team won, can’t be argued.

Worth noting, that 50% of this group have been playing rugby less than 3 years. The spirit and culture that Marc Quinn and his coaches have embedded within this squad ensured that heads did not drop at any stage.
They know that experiences like these – positive and negative – will form the fabric of this already tight squad as they move through the age groups.

Report by Dom Baglee