On a wet, cold, miserable afternoon Penrith achieved their goal of a bonus point win but it was't pretty, it certainly wasn't pleasing on the eye or a crowd pleaser but it was a job well done. They scored six tries and for the first time this season didn't allow the opposition to cross their's, David Preston will be looking for one or two more ground out wins like this between now and the end of the season.
Penrith's victory could be put down to the dominance of their pack, they were far too powerful for their opposite numbers in the set scrums and Mike Raine and Dan Richardson were supreme in the lineouts securing their own ball with ease and winning a good share of the opposition's ball.
The home side looked to dominate and laid siege to the visitor's line from the off, they kicked two penalties to the corner and took their lineout ball but couldn't quite force their way over. They were held up over the line to earn a 5m scrum but couldn't take advantage as Alselmians defended frantically. The deadlock was finally broken as they attacked from a 5m lineout and Adam Howe used his size and strength to spin out off a tackle just short of the line and crash over.
As they scored Penrith were unlucky to lose second row forward James Hogg with concussion, he was replaced by prop Will Morgan who filled in at lock and the home pack's dominance was not compromised as they continued to boss the set pieces. Penrith didn't have things all their own way though, there was a little surprise as the visitors opted to kick for goal from the half way line but the kick sailed over with the assistance of the following breeze. The visitors then had a try disallowed as an obvious off the ball obstruction made the gap for the would be try scorer, the visitors were pressing and had a second kick at goal that went wide.
It was just before half time when Penrith eventually added to their lead, they had a 5m scrum head on of the posts and set themselves to go for the pushover try. They won the ball and it was safely nestling at the feet of No8 Raine as they inched forward. The posts rather impeded their progress but they gradually got to within striking distance when a defender hacked the ball out of the scrum. The referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try to double the home side's lead but it did rob No8 Raine of a try his performance on the afternoon richly deserved.
On half time Anselmians had a scrum deep inside their own 22, the home eight were able drive them back and win the turn over as the visiting No8 tried to tidy up poor possession, after several drives for the line Richardson found the narrowest of gaps and forced his way over and at the break Penrith had a handy 21-3 lead.
They had the elements in their favour and were looking for the fourth try and the bonus point but it was a long time in coming. For the first 30 minutes of the second half the home side lost their way, they were lacklustre and making numerous mistakes that was gifting possession to the visitors and they could hardly string three phases together. The conditions were poor, several of the backs looked as if they were frozen to the wick, it was windy and hands would be cold but the game needed finishing off.
They managed to get up a head of steam in the final ten minutes and put the game to bed. It was captain Ed Swale who was the catalyst as he ran back a clearance kick, beat several tackler and took the ball deep into the 22. Anselmians were penalised and George Graham took the tap immediately, caught them on the hop as they backpedaled and almost got to the line. The forwards piled in and Richardson again was the one to find the gap to muscle his way over.
Raine broke from a scrum just outside the visitor's 22 to set up the next try, he set Graham away who made the break and looked as if he would score, the last defender had a piece of his shirt but Jon Fell was on hand to run the try in. The final try came as the visitors tried to run the ball out of their own 22, a long looped pass was thrown out that had interception written all over it, Swale from fullback duly obliged, stepped inside the cover and sprinted in to dive under the posts.
With those five points secured Penrith now have a difficult trip to fellow strugglers Warrington and will have to be at their best and most belligerent to come away with a win.