There was polite applause at Carlisle Rugby Club as the referee's whistle ended England's Rugby World Cup dream...

For the previous 90 nail-biting minutes, fans who watched the game at the Warwick Road Club had joined millions of people across the world to watch a game that held out the promise of a thrilling and historic victory in Japan.

It was not to be.

Even as the second half began, with England trailing by six points, fans at the club still believed a victory was possible.

But South Africa played doggedly, fiercely, implacably. In the 65th minute South Africa burst into life, scoring a try that sent the 'Springbok' fans wild as fans at the club yelled out their verdict: the pass that preceded it from Makazole Mapimpi had gone forward, they protested.

For an agonising minute, "video referee" to check whether those claims were right.

As he ran back on to the pitch, raising his arm to signify that the try was allowed, the huge TV screen on the wall showed close-ups of jubilant South African fans, punching the air, yelling with delight. The faces of those in the Warwick Road club could not have been more different: they looked defeated, despondent.

After the game ended, with a score of 32 - 12 defeat for England, fans were philosophical - but bitterly disappointed.

"Very disappointed," said club chairman David Stout.

"South Africa stuck to their game plan very well, and we just made too many mistakes.

"It was such an opportunity for the game; a chance to get into the headlines for the right reasons. It's just sad that it hasn't. We have to accept that we were beaten by the better team."

That view was repeated by fan after fan.

Dave Jackson, 54, summed up the mood of many in the room.

"I'm devastated," he said.

"It was one game too many and they'd clearly done their homework. We looked nervous."

There was also a feeling in the room that England suffered partly as the result of referee decisions which favoured South Africa.

Despite that, the fans at the club were clearly impressed by South Africa, and their spontaneous applause expressed that sentiment: recognition for a job well done, though at a cost to England.