Carlisle set for Pontefract challenge
Last updated 08:46, Friday, 14 November 2008
Carlisle will go to Pontefract tomorrow in good heart after their exciting 29-26 win over Penrith on Saturday.
They will be aiming to build on the good work that delivered the victory at Warwick Road.
The pack is unchanged again, but Martin Grealish returns as a forward replacement on the bench after an eye problem.
Mark Allan is also on the bench and George Graham travels as support for the back division.
James Clark, who sustained a badly broken leg and ankle during the Penrith game last week, has had an operation, and will certainly be out for the rest of this season.
The back division has been re-arranged slightly. Barry Earl, who came on last week as a replacement when Chris Harris had to leave the field, keeps a slot in the team, but takes Clark's place on the wing.
Penrith will be looking to shake things up after last week’s below par performance against Carlisle.
Experienced centre/full back Gavin Young is hopeful of being fit to return after coming through a very physical training session on Tuesday night while number eight Mike Raine has made himself available after missing out with a shoulder injury.
However there are worries over David Preston (broken finger), captain Rob Dawson (ribs) and Kiwi hooker Callum Rutledge (neck).
It’s the right kind of match for Penrith to bounce back in as they are at home to Billingham, the League leaders. Three weeks ago Penrith won at Billingham in the Cup.
As far as the League clash was concerned the city side seemed to want the win a lot more than their opponents.
On recent form Penrith played way below par and never really got into gear although they were sufficiently in touch throughout to suggest they could still sneak a win.
Chris Harris, Matt Charters and Barry Earl scored tries for Carlisle with Glen Weightman supplying the kicks, including the late penalty which decided the game.
Joe Nattrass (2) and Steven Wood scored tries for Penrith with Wood adding the kicks.
The other Cumbrian side in North Two east, Aspatria were on the wrong end of a six try mauling when they went down 36-11 at home to Gateshead.
The visitors had only registered one League win from six League games so this was a contest the Cumbrians had clearly targeted.
But right from the start it was Gateshead who called the shots, as their big pack soon exerted strong pressure on the home line.
Mike Scott kicked two penalties for Aspatria but they were well outfought and the try didn’t come until late in the game when Gary Hodgson touched down.
It was a good one for chairman of rugby Mark Richardson to miss as he was on holiday, but he heard nothing but negative reports on his return.
“We all; sat down for chat on Tuesday – the players, coaches and myself and talked about what had gone wrong and why. It appears there might have been a few going out there with the wrong attitude, some perhaps who don’t hurt enough when they get beat.
“I can only say that the response was very good because they trained really well and I hope they can put that into their performance on Saturday at Old Crossleyans,” said Richardson.
The Black Reds will have a few problems, though, as Mark Cottam, Mark Bouch, Lee Askew, Dan Rayson and Andrew Miller will all miss-out through injury while Lee Tinnion has work commitments.
In North Lancs Cumbria Wigton were caught-out by some splendid counter-attacking from Kirkby Lonsdale and lost their game at Lowmoor Road 22-20.
Despite scoring in 20 seconds through Chris Pattinson, with Tane Manihera converting the home side trailed 22-10 at the break as Kirkby Lonsdale ran in four good tries from deep. Manihera kicked a penalty for the Greens.
But Wigton did a lot better up the slope in the second half scoring two tries from Matthew Atkinson and David Hanabury without reply. Manihera’s conversion attempt for the last try could have levelled the game but it was just wide.
Wigton will try and get that out of their system tomorrow at Upper Eden, who were crushed 57-0 by unbeaten League leaders Vale of Lune.
The Lowmoor Road side will be selecting from 21 with Mark Deans, who had 20 minutes as a replacement last week, retaining his place in the squad.
Robert Marrs, who has played only one game so far after winning the Player of the Year award last season, is back too after recovering from an ankle injury.
Andy Brown, who has been the stand-out forward this season, also returns after being unavailable last week through work commitments.
Mark Thompson returns to the squad with David Warwick unable to travel and named in the Wanderers line-up for the Cumbria League game at home to Creighton.
Keswick visit Kirkby Lonsdale in a tough assignment after losing 44-19 at Workington. The powerful Zebras forwards laid the platform for victory while Keswick scored three excellent tries, only to concede scores within minutes on each occasion. Mark Ireland (2) and Matty Roper scored the Keswick tries.
In the Cumbria League Dan Greenslade kicked two penalties and converted a penalty try as Creighton went down 29-13 at home to Whitehaven.
After conceding over 60 points in each of their last two games this was a big improvement.
Tomorrow they travel to Wigton Wanderers while Aspatria Eagles, who didn’t send a team to Millom, are at home to St Benedict’s.
Carlisle Crusaders are at home to Sunderland in the Candy League while the Hornets are across the city against Creighton A in the Cumbria Shield League.
Both matches kick off at 2.15 pm.
