The 1st XV and the Wasp teams travelled over to Carlisle for the final games of the 2024 calendar year. The weather threatened to be a spoiler with the A66 closed due to high winds. However, the weather was kind and the wind didn’t affect the game other than the usual kick advance one might expect.
Before the game both teams took to the main pitch to observe a minutes applause for Richard Neave, a Carlisle Rugby Club stalwart. RIP Richard.
Both teams performed well to record two victories.
Carlisle 21 v 55 Middlesbrough 1st XV
Another trip over the A66 sees Middlesbrough travel to Carlisle for our final Regional 2 North match of 2024.
Boro kick off towards the club house end and Carlisle bring the ball forward. 4 minutes in and the home side have a lineout in the Boro 22, they catch the ball but Boro player/coach Ollie Hodgson rips the ball free. The ball is then fed out through the hands to flying points machine Brendan Hill who scores then coverts 0-7.
From the restart Carlisle apply pressure and kick a penalty 3-7. An offensive tackle from Pete Homan allows Boro to move up the pitch and full back Matthew Marsay breaks the defensive line draws the defender and pops to Ali Lang who scores out wide, con missed 3-12.
The home side then score a second penalty 6-12.
Boro build more pressure and after some probing along the line Jack McPhillips breaks and the ball ends up with Hill who scores his second in the corner 6-17.
Another penalty from the Cumbrians 9-17.
This pressure from the home side sparks them into life and they kick the ball along the ground, it is fumbled and they score a try 14-17.
After a bit of to and fro Boro scrum half Conner Foley is caught securing the ball at a ruck full back Marsay scoops the ball up from the base dances left then right then left again under the posts for a 7 pointer.
HT 14-24
After the restart Toby Tremlett takes over from Hodgson at No8. McPhillips kicks the ball through and Marsay and Hill wrestle the Carlisle full back to touch, from the ensuing line out the forwards drive on and hooker Joe Sawdon scores. The conversion is good from Hill 14-31.
Middlesbrough then go down to 13 players after two are sent to the sin bin in quick succession the second of these results in a penalty try for Carlisle 21-31.
The lack of two players does not seem to hamper Boro as Hill scoots down the touchline avoiding two would be tacklers to score 21-36.
What a try from the Boro. The ball is worked right Ali Lang storms through a gap and pops the ball outside. He then follows this and receives the ball again to score 21-41.
Middlesbrough clear their lines and the chase is good enough to turn the ball over, a few phases later and stand in wing Rohan Brown (moving out from openside) on his 100th appearance breaks out wide the ball ends up back in the middle of the field where substitute Marcus Lang scores con added 21-48.
Pete Homan dummies to take a quick line out and then does so receiving the ball back from Adam Marron Pete scores the conversion is added to round off the scoring.
FT Carlisle 21 Middlesbrough 55.
We have a break for the festivities next week but we have a bonus fixture at Acklam Park on Friday night at 6pm when we have an inter club Over/Under 30s game, sorry fans but the writer of this is unavailable to play due to old age and no boots…phew!!!!
January 4th sees us travel to Cumbria again for a match at Kirkby Lonsdale check www.bororugby.com for kick off time.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Successful 2025 from all of us at MRUFC UTB
Carlisle 5 v 50 Middlesbrough Wasps
The game starts well with both sides trying to move the ball around despite the blustery conditions. 5 minutes in, Boro get the ball over the line with Joe Matthews, but it is a knock on in the grounding, and we play on from the scrum.
15 minutes in, and Boro move the ball well into midfield from a scrum. Adam Nolson runs great line and scampers in under the posts from 30 metres with some great footwork. The con is good from Will Deeks
25 mins in, Booth makes a great run under pressure and flicks out an impressive pass from the back of his hand to Sam Pearey-Gill who scores in the corner. The conversation into the wind is unsurprisingly unsuccessful. Boro 12, Carlisle 0
Carlisle attack in our half and spilling in contact. Deeksy picks it up and offloads well to Rob Carney, who moves the ball out wide. A few passes later and Bell gets the ball out wide to run a great try under the posts from 30 metres. Deeks kicks the con. 19. 0 after 35 minutes of good rugby.
From the kick off, Boro win a line out through Henry in own 22. The 9 to 10 pass is intercepted and the Carlisle 8 trots in unopposed. Boro 19. Carlisle 5. Con missed.
HT 5 -19 to Boro
5 mins in and Boro turn over the ball midfield with Deeks. Then a few passes move the ball wide, and Booth pops a great pass to Joe Matthews who runs on well from 25 metres. A great try out wide, dragging 3 defenders over the line with good strength. Con missed. 24. 5
On 60 mins, Boro’s co tinued excellent scrum pressure leads to good ball, and a penalty 15 out at the breakdown. Big Abraham makes great hard yards and a pass in popped to Owen Massey under the posts. Con good by Deeks. Boro 31. Carlisle 5.Henry’s break is impressive on 65 mins, but he is brought down just short of the line and Carlisle clear.
A few mins later, Henry takes a line out ball, lands and then runs straight through the line to score from 15 out. Boro 36. Carlisle 5. Con missedCarlisle work really hard to attack in our 22, and eventually cross the line but it is held up and Boro clear the lines. Great Boro defence, but hard for Carlisle who are battling well.
Aaron Lawes nor Bell. Please change that earlier. Aaron Lawes scores his 2nd on 74 mins, with a very impressive try, running it around under the posts . Con good. 43. 5
Joe Matthews makes a great run through the middle, and offloads to Henry to score a great try under the posts. Con by Deeks good. Boro 50. Carlisle 5
Full time after a great game of rugby here at Carlisle. 50. 5
Man of the match was Abraham Crosby, our big 2nd row playing in the front row today, creating turn-overs, crashing ball in, working hard all game and scrummagging well.
Dick of the Day was Steven Stumps Hoare who gave away a penalty from the touch line for chit chat l, and got an old school telling off too 🙂
