The fortnight’s break appeared not to have done what it was designed to do for Carlisle Rugby Club.

After a splendid display at Warrington to move 15 points clear, the North One West leaders were expected to come back refreshed and ready to see the title wrapped-up.

But Northwich had already beaten Matt Shields’ side down in Cheshire and took advantage of an off-key performance by their hosts to complete the double, claiming a 21-19 success.

Right from the start, Carlisle were not at the same pace as a fortnight ago, and conceding a penalty with barely 60 seconds played didn’t help, as it gave Northwich three points.

Within five minutes, the visitors had extended their lead.

A scrum on Carlisle’s 22 gave them a position to work the ball across the park, and as they played a penalty advantage for offside, a clever cross-field kick found their right winger who crossed for their first try.

Northwich were then pushing Carlisle deep into their half and, just as they looked to have broken through, home winger Johnny Crichton intercepted a pass to scoot 60 metres down the wing to cross for Carlisle’s first try, converted by Grant Connon on 15 minutes.

On such things, games swing, and Carlisle drew confidence from being just a point behind, and put the Northwich defence under a lot of scrutiny for the next 15 minutes. But the visitors defended well.

That was until Alex Neil claimed Carlisle’s second try on the half-hour with Connon converting.

Carlisle ended the half 14-8 to the good but it didn’t last long, though.

Northwich exploited gaps in the Carlisle defence to go over for their second converted try, taking the lead by a point.

They continued to push Carlisle hard and, when Josh Holmes was sin-binned, the resulting penalty extended Northwich’s lead to four points.

Despite being down to 14 men for 10 minutes, Carlisle reacted well, and had probably the best period of the match as they marched Northwich back down the pitch. But Northwich held their own and a long-range penalty extended the visitors lead to seven points with 10 minutes left.

Restored to 15 men, Carlisle were rewarded as they pushed deep into the Northwich 22. From a ruck, the ball was quickly worked across to full-back Max Connon, who dived over for Carlisle’s third try.

Kicking into the wind was an almost impossible task so Connon’s conversion attempt fell short, as did Carlisle’s attempts to win this match, and minutes later, Northwich celebrated completing their double.