Having been beaten by Vagabonds a fortnight ago, Carlisle Cougars responded in style with a 70-7 home win against the same opposition in the reverse fixture.

After a tough first match against Vagabonds on the Isle of Man, Carlisle’s Ladies thought they would be in for a real test on a sunny Saturday afternoon at their Warwick Road ground.

But the Cougars, expecting another close battle, were shocked to pick up points just a few minutes into the contest when Louise Langton chased down a kick and scored under the posts.

That proved to simply be the start, though, as Vagabonds were unable to stop Carlisle and they raced into a 51-0 half-time lead.

Vagabonds did at least slow Carlisle down in the second period, though. And the fast play in the first half started to take its toll on Carlisle’s players, as they made a number of substitutions to bring on fresh legs.

The visitors got on the scoreboard, courtesy of a penalty try, 20 minutes from time.

But Carlisle also won the second half, with the final score 70-7 to the Cougars.

Hannah Farrell got five tries, Hannah Sherlock bagged a hat-trick, Langton scored twice and Laura Cunningham and Kim Fitzmaurice both also crossed the whitewash. Farrell converted five of those tries.

Carlisle still sit second in the women’s NC North West One league table and complete their season at Kendal on Sunday.