Penrith took full advantage of having their opening two fixtures of the league season at home by recording their second win. Both games though, have been against sides you would expect to be in with a shout come the end of the season, Cleckheaton were a National League team last year and Alnwick were very competitive last season finishing in fourth place.
Home advantage took its toll as early as the third minute, Alnwick were penalised in the opening play being offside chasing a box kick out of defence. The penalty was kicked to the corner and Ian McDowell's lineout throw found Mike Raine and the Penrith forwards rumbled for the line, the drive was a bit lateral initially but then they made progress, then the visitor's defence infringed and the referee awarded another penalty. It was again kicked to the corner and McDowell and Raine repeated the trick and again the home forwards turned the screw, this time it looked as if they were going to go over in the corner when the maul was collapsed, the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and Penrith were seven points to the good.
For the majority of the first half the two sides nullified each other, the Cumbrians had plenty of possession but struggled to breakdown the visitor's defensive line, on a number of occasions they put lots of phases of play together without making much progress and similarly Alnwick came up against a solid home defensive line and didn't look like threatening the home try line. They did manage a penalty attempt when the ever busy George Graham was adjudged offside at a scrum, the effort came back off the post and was cleared up by Dan Richardson.
Penrith did create the odd chance, strong running, first by Ryan Johnson and then Liam Tunstall got their side almost to the line but the opportunity was snuffed out. Just before the break a Graham thrust led to the defence killing the ball at the ensuing ruck, it was just outside the 22 and Matt Allinson struck the ball nicely into the strong breeze and added three points to his side's total.
The visitors came back strongly and there was some desperate last ditch defending and Penrith were pleased to hear the half time whistle and turn round 10-0 up, with the wind now at their backs.
The start of the second half was a comedy of errors with both sides going close to scoring, an Allinson interception almost set up Penrith, they then gave possession away far too easily and struggled to clear a kick and chase which ended up on their own line. With that scare over the home team did get the upper hand, Allinson was getting some distance with his kicks upfield, was regularly clearing the fullback and was able to keep the North East men penned well in their own half.
A second Penrith try eased any nerves they may have had, they kicked a penalty to touch some 20m out and again looked to catch and drive where they were getting the better of the opposing eight. They secured the ball and drove for the line. They made some progress before the maul was held up and seemed to be turned, however they managed to reset it and a second drive got them to the line where Richardson claimed the touchdown. It was right in the corner and the conversion was only a yard in from touch but Allinson struck it perfectly and it sailed between the posts.
Penrith put the game to bed with a third try, their backs had been quiet most of their afternoon, Jamie McNaughton was playing in the centre instead of his usual position on the wing where with a bit more room and a bit more time he is often the home side's most potent attacker. He then managed to find some space in midfield and broke the first line of defence just into the visitor's half, Andrew Holcroft carried the movement on and McNaughton was involved again and this time was brought down just short of the line. This was the best bit of rugby the home side had put together and Graham looked to keep up the momentum and moved the ball quickly away from the ruck only to hit a lazy running defender trying to get back behind the ball. The referee for the second time had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try as Penrith did look hot favourites to score with the opposition at sixes and sevens after two line breaks.
Penrith would have liked a fourth try and a bonus point and probably tried a bit too hard as the game ran down, they were guilty of putting themselves under pressure and only succeeded in conceding a soft try when they reacted slowly to a change of direction in the backs.
The coaching team were more than happy with the win, they know they have plenty to work on but there's also enough positives to be optimistic, they now face the long trip to Dinnington who have yet to win a game. They will know from last season it is not an easy place to go to and they will have to be on their mettle.