Strong second half seals victory for the visitors

Carlisle were eventually very comfortable winners of this Cumbria Cup tie, racking up a score of 53 points to Wigton’s 17. However, there was much in this encounter to give Wigton heart for their forthcoming league season.

Firstly it should be noted that Carlisle have strengthened their squad for the coming campaign. Not all new signings were on display today but player coach Matt Shields adds weight and presence to an already impressive pack. On the other hand, particularly in a keenly contested first half, Wigton’s backs looked sharp and eager, threatening the Carlisle defence with strong running and crisp handling. Ultimately Carlisle’s dominance of the set pieces enabled them to monopolise possession for long periods of the second half and deny Wigton any ball with which to hit back.

The city visitors were the first on the scoreboard as a penalty kick enabled them to set up a line out in Wigton’s 22. Carlisle fluffed their lines, knocking on, but a scrum provided scant relief for the home defence. Ominously Carlisle drove Wigton off the ball and moved it to their midfield backs. A couple of phases later Carlisle’s new skipper, flanker Henry Wainwright, bustled his way through a couple of defenders to claim the first try. Scrum half Max Connon converted for an early 0-7 lead.

However, Wigton were looking threatening with the ball in hand. New skipper No 8 Greg Wrathall did well to pick up the ball at the base of a scrum and make good progress. A high tackle drew a penalty, setting up a line out in Carlisle’s 22. The ball was overthrown but claimed by an alert Robert Marrs in the second row. Good hands from centre Richard Moffatt gave full back John Wright the chance to make a strong run. The ball was recycled and switched back to the left. Sharp, accurate passing enabled winger Stephen Harris to take advantage of an overlap to register Wigton’s first score, narrowing the gap to 5-7.

Wigton were looking lively at this stage, rocking Carlisle back with strong running and good passing. On a couple of occasions Wigton were looking to take advantage of Carlisle knock ons only for referee Castles to bring play back for a scrum. Carlisle absorbed the pressure and worked their way back to Wigton’s 22. More good work by Moffatt and Wright saw the home team break out of defence as the game moved from end to end. Carlisle surrendered field position by conceding a number of penalties. Wigton’s line out work was not always as accurate as it could be but Carlisle offended a few yards out by interfering with the jumper. Wigton’s quick thinking scrum half Fergus Ledingham took a quick tap to set up front foot ball. More good handling saw the ball zip along to right winger Charles Studholme who scored Wigton’s second try. This gave the Greens a 10-7 lead.

From the restart Wigton cleared the ball into space. It was gathered by full back Shaw Lorimer-Bell who showed good speed to lead a Carlisle breakout. The ball was grubber kicked to the in goal area but a defending player was able to touch the ball first. From the drop out Carlisle won a penalty to set up a line in a threatening position. Wigton were slightly slow to read Carlisle’s intentions and Shields spearheaded a drive for the line and claimed the try for a 10-12 lead.

Carlisle quickly got back into Wigton’s 22 and following a penalty for a deliberate knock on, they opted for a scrum. 10-17 half time lead.

Wigton could not have been discouraged at half time. They were about to have the advantage of the wind and, given a reasonable share of possession, had shown they were capable of causing problems for Carlisle’s defence.

The second half got off to the worst possible start as Wigton failed to take the ball cleanly from the kick off. Carlisle eagerly snapped up the ball and kept it alive until Lorimer-Bell charged over for a try and a 10-22 lead.

From the restart Carlisle were caught offside and Wright took a shot with a long range penalty. The ball was well struck but passed just to the left of the posts. Using the wind, fly half Dan Reed produced a good kick to set up play on the edge of Carlisle’s 22. It was clear they were going to keep the ball close to their forwards until they had put paid to Wigton’s hopes. Wigton seemed to have a bit of relief when Carlisle were penalised only a few yards short of the home try line. Unfortunately the kick to touch was missed and Carlisle took advantage with the attack producing a try for Dan Holmes.

Wigton tried to unlock the defence with a chip behind the threequarters. The idea was good but Carlisle got to the ball first and immediately counter attacked. Replacement winger Greg Baines made a good run down the left flank with Lorimer-Bell finishing the move with his second try which Jacob Israel converted making the score 10-34.

Wigton were able to generate some momentum and put pressure on the visitors’ defence. Frustratingly a chance to keep that pressure on was lost when a pretty straightforward penalty kick to touch was missed. Carlisle cleared long and deep into space. Before the defence could get back and get organised replacement back Harrison Reay had score another try to make the lead 10-39. Soon afterwards Baines scores a converted try to make it 10-46.

Wigton gained some consolation when, following a series of penalties Wrathall picked a great line to power through a gap and over Connon’s token attempt at a tackle to score a try which Wright converted.

A final score of 17-53, whilst reflecting the excellence of Carlisle’s second half performance, is at the same time rather harsh on Wigton who showed enough today to suggest that they will pose a threat to any team we meet in the new Cumbria league. Carlisle, like Wigton, have a couple of strong backs to bring into the side; they look to be stronger than last season and will be hoping to finish in the top half of their league. No doubt all will be revealed before too long.