Match report Whitehaven v Carlisle 16-9-23

Having got their campaign off to a solid start with a comfortable win at home to Penrith IIs, Carlisle travelled west to Whitehaven on their first league trip of the season. It is a number of years since a Carlisle side had visited The Playground at this level so there was a degree of uncertainty as to what to expect. The fine weather of recent weeks ensured that a fine playing surface was a welcome sight for the visitors.

Whitehaven have been a bit of a yo-yo in recent seasons earning promotion from the Cumbria League only to struggle at the higher level. As such, they were expected to provide a firm indication of what we might expect from the better sides at this level. They did not disappoint. Their challenge was physical and abrasive, making it uncomfortable for us to establish any real pattern to our play and disrupting us constantly.

The visitors had the early pressure and their dominant set piece laid the platform for the success that was to follow. Home side infringements at the breakdown enabled Carlisle to establish a position in the opposition 22 and from a line out an impressive catch and drive was touched down by skipper Josh Holmes for the opening score, impressively converted from wide out by Jason Israel. The following 10 minutes were a bit scrappy with mistakes from both sides. A smart break from Max Kirton enabled Carlisle to reestablish themselves in the home 22. Whitehaven initially held out, but a second 5m scrum saw Carlisle dominate the set piece and a penalty try was awarded on 23 minutes.

If the visitors expected them to have broken the Whitehaven resistance they were to be disappointed. The home side picked themselves up and established some pressure in the Carlisle half with some hard running and forced Carlisle to defend which they did admirably. Carlisle had opportunities to break out and score again, but the final pass or option went astray, and half time came with the visitors maintaining a 0-14 lead.

Whitehaven started the second half better. Kicking off they forced a turnover and established themselves in the visitors 22. A series of drives were repelled by Carlisle but at a cost. Nathan Greenhow was yellow carded for repeated offending and James Brocket to injury. On 53 minutes the home side eventually forced their way over near the corner to reduce the arrears to 5-14 and give them hope of a recovery.

At this point Carlisle lifted their game and from the kick off had their best period of the game putting Whitehaven under pressure and securing turnover ball and camping themselves in the home sides 22. Whitehaven defended well but at the cost of a yellow card themselves. Carlisle continued to apply pressure and the ball was worked wide for Rhys Callahan to go over in the corner for Carlisle’s third try, again well converted by Israel.

Whitehaven continued to battle, but Carlisle were now well top and continued to press. However, the visitors were unable to make their pressure count as the home defended stoutly and forced errors. The final 20 minutes were a bit disjointed and an awkward injury to Carlisle’s Matt Marston, who dislocated his elbow in a tackle held up the game for a number of minutes. On resumption, it looked as if the bonus point score would elude them Carlisle recovered some composure and a break down the left by Jake Whittaker created the space for Israel to receive and inside pass and secure the extra point. Israel’s conversion completed the scoring on the final whistle.

Thankfully we are able to report that Matt Marston is now in recovery mode, although he is now in cast following a double dislocation. We wish him well on his road to full recovery.

Carlisle look forward to the visit of Windermere next Saturday when they hope to continue their unbeaten start to the season in their quest for the quickest of returns to Level 6 rugby.