Penrith would be extremely disappointed with their result on Saturday, they knew a win would lift them out of the relegation scramble but they are now right back in it. Although in seventh place they are in the top half of the league they are only three points above the third relegation stop and one of half a dozen sides that could well go down with Anselmians and De La Salle. It will be all the more galling for them as they had ample opportunities to win the game.
They made the worst possible start, after 43 seconds they gave away the penalty that allowed Burnage to kick for position into the Penrith 22 and then after two minutes and five seconds they were under their own posts, having far too easily, conceded the first try.
Penrith did then get themselves into the game playing and attacking with some purpose, centres Ross Jackson and Jay Rossi made inroads but it was captain Ed Swale taking a quick tap penalty and getting into the home 22 that set up the position for their first score. He was taken out by a high tackle and Penrith opted for a scrum 5m out, they had the slight upper hand at the set and this allowed Mike Raine to break blind from No8, he had scrum half George Graham on his shoulder who was unstoppable from close range, Nathan Wooff's conversion leveled the scores at seven apiece. Penrith were in charge at this stage and the home side were conceding quite a number of penalties. One was kicked to the corner, the Cumbrian's lineout was functioning well and ball was won,after the initial drive was halted the ball was moved wide, Wooff was involved twice before Raine took the ball deep into the 22, Ryan Lee charged almost to the line and Dan Richardson was on hand to snap the ball up and claim the try and the lead for his side.
Penrith looked to bossing the game and be in control but immediately after taking the lead they seemed to take their foot off the gas, they weren't playing with the same intensity and let Burnage right back into the game. Then in a 10 minute mad spell they allowed Burnage to score three tries from long range and also kick a penalty. From looking in charge they were now trailing 29-12 and staring down the barrel.
They did lift their game just before the break and a sweeping attack saw Brad Taylor go over for a converted try but they were still looking at a 10 point deficit at half time.
They started the second period on the front foot and when when the home side were penalised at their own scrum in their 22 Penrith opted for the scrummage, Raine broke from the base and made ground, big drives from Adam Howe and Josh Dowson got them to the line and Richardson claimed his second try as he wrestled his way way over.
They were now within three points and looked as if they would dominate the second half as they had the week before against a strong Northwich side and be able to eek out the win they needed.
It didn't happen though as they gifted a try to the home side almost immediately, a pass inside off the wing was directed at no one and the turn over ball gratefully accepted by the home side and seconds later the try scored and the lead again pulled out to 10 points. A flagging Burnage side's spirits were once more lifted as they raised they game in the final quarter.
Penrith did their best to save the game and battered the home line but cheered on by the home crowd the home side defended for all they were worth, they almost scored a break away try from their own 22 but in the main it was the visitors who were carving out the chances. A nailed on scoring pass went to ground in the corner, they had the ball over the line on one occasion but lost control of it as they strived to get something from the game to no avail.
They had managed a four try bonus point but couldn't get the odd score at the end that would have given them a losing bonus point so they are left with work to do in the final two weeks of the league season.
Next up are high flying Blackburn close on Carlisle's heels at the top of the table and the week after the final game of the season sees them travel to fellow strugglers Stockport.