The scoreline would suggest Penrith got a real hiding in the Isle of Man and try wise they certainly did going down seven to one. However anyone who watched the game would say the scoreline didn't reflect what went on as for long periods there was little between the sides as Penrith had their share of possession and field position. They were unable, though, to turn pressure into points.

They weren't helped by their flight out of Manchester being delayed and they were also not helped by unavailabilities and started with coach David Preston in the second row partnered by prop Will Morgan. That said they scrummaged well enough and caused the home side problems and their lineout went as well as could be expected as none of their regular jumpers travelled. Had they had a bit of luck and one or two decisions gone their way it might have been a bit closer but Douglas took their chances well and ran out deserved winners, if flattered a little by the final score.

The Cumbrians started well enough and had a decent period of possession following the kick off, they built the phases and made some ground but then conceded a penalty and found themselves defending a lineout on their own line as the penalty was kicked to the corner. The Manx forwards secured the ball and when they were eventually held up spun the ball wide and scored out wide with a simple overlap.

Penrith came back and from a scrum on the home 22 Matt Allinson ran the ball in and the home forwards were offside at the breakdown, Allinson kicked the penalty cut the lead but Douglas came back with a penalty to restore the lead, Josh Dowson had got back well to put in a try saving tackle but Penrith were penalised at the ruck.

Penrith then got into their game and had the upper hand, George Graham had a couple of probing runs and got in behind the home defence but couldn't quite link up to claim the score. They were seeing a lot of the ball but were just not sharp enough to turn possession into chances. Douglas then put a harmless kick downfield that was going to run dead but there was a stupid late tackle and the penalty was awarded where the ball landed just short of the try line. It was kicked to touch and although the visitors held the driven maul they were penalised, again the penalty was kicked to the corner and the home side scored at the second attempt.

Douglas scored a third try when they took an interception and caught the Penrith defence out of position. Penrith trailed 22-3 as half time approached and were camped in the home 22, they had an attacking lineout deep in the red zone but couldn't take advantage, they opted for a scrum from a penalty 10m out but couldn't fashion a try, Jon Fell went close but they still couldn't cross the home line and halftime came without any addition to the score.

They did manage another Allinson penalty just after the break but then came under pressure as the home side got their act together. The Manx men then had a purple patch, they scored their next try from an attacking lineout, another as an attacking Penrith player was cleanly stripped of the ball and then another two as the game got more and more open and loose.

The Penrith players did not let their heads drop but they ended up with five front row forwards on the field and this was not ideal as the game opened up. They did eventually manage a try, Allinson made the half break and Brad Taylor was stepping back inside to claim the try when he was taken out with a high tackle, the referee did not hesitate in awarding a penalty try.

It was a long way to go to concede seven tries and get nothing out of the game, there was no lack of effort and the two positives were the introduction off the bench of Nathan Wooff after a nasty knee injury and again coming off the bench, Kiwi, Ryan Lee who again showed he can do a job.