Penrith secured only their third away win of the season with a hard fought win against local rivals Carlisle in a game that swung both ways, it looked as if either side could have claimed the victory before Penrith took control in the final quarter with two tries to seal the win. It was not a game of high quality throughout but the various changes of fortune to both sides kept a large crowd well entertained.
Carlisle are having a difficult season but the visiting coaching team were not expecting an easy ride and that is just how it turned out. it was probably the best team the city side had turned out all season and they ran their local rivals close especially bearing in mind they were reduced to 14 men early in the game.
Penrith had a dream start, first Andy Muir and then Adam Howe made inroads up the middle of the pitch before the ball was switched to the backs and Brad Taylor ran deep into the home 22, the Penrith forwards then took over and had a number of drives for the line but importantly kept their patience and Howe eventually bulldozed over. Mike Fearon converted but it was only a matter of minutes before the home side hit back.
Carlisle scored four tries in the game and all of them were preceded by the visitors conceding a penalty that was kicked to the corner for an attacking lineout, the home lineout functioned well and they were able to take advantage of the visitors' indiscipline. The first try came after the drive to the line was held up and the ball spun wide for a well taken try in the corner. The hosts were facing a healthy breeze and the conversion went wide and Penrith led by two points. They extended this to five when Fearon stroked a penalty over from an infringement at the scrum.
Then after 13 minutes came the pivotal point in the game, Arran Pamphilon ran a ball back towards the forwards and was taken out by a high tackle the referee deemed a sending off offence and he left the field with a badly broken nose. Carlisle were now a man down and this had the effect of making them raise there game and at times it looked as if they had the extra man. They took the lead with a converted try that came from another attacking lineout but Penrith struck back immediately.
Ben Higgens won quick ball at a four man lineout, George Graham ran round the stand off in a training ground move creating the overlap and Matt Allinson made the most of it to set up the try for Matty Boustead. They scored another converted try shortly after, again from a lineout, Howe ran the ball up in midfield and when it came to the backs Allinson found Jamie McNaughton with a long pass and he beat the last defender to run to the line.
Penrith's penalty count was keeping them on their own line as the first half ended and after a number of lineouts where the home side failed to breach the desperate Penrith a cross kick saw the home right winger unmarked and he fielded the ball to score.
Penrith led 24-17 at the break but it was soon 24 apiece as the visitors again invited the hosts deep into their 22 with their indiscipline and yet another penalty. Carlisle again took full advantage and all was to play for.
As the game went into the final quarter Penrith's penalty count decreased as the pressure from the home side started to fade, their huge efforts when reduced to 14 men were beginning to show. Penrith were able to get their noses in front following good ground made up the middle of the field first by Boustead and then Josh Winder, when the ball came wide Taylor was able to set McNaughton up to run in at the corner unopposed.
The scoring was completed when No8 Josh Dowson broke blind from a scrum and made the extra man count, first Graham and then Taylor took their men out to allow Manny Mbatha to go over in the corner.
At times it wasn't pretty but it was a bonus point win away from home in a local derby in which absolutely no quarter was given. The Penrith lads knew they had been in a game and the physio will be busy on Tuesday and Thursday night patching them up to face Altrincham next week.