Carlisle had their first pre-season game against a well-drilled Alnwick side from the League above.
Alnwick certainly benefitted from their previous three games to win 24-0, while Carlisle were blowing away a few cobwebs from an 18-month lay-off.
The Cumbrians included a couple of new players who have moved to live and work in the city, along with promoted Colts and second teamers.
There were lots of endeavour and decent individual performances, especially from the new faces, many having their first game of senior rugby.
Despite the scoreline, Carlisle had chances to get on the scoreboard, not least when they had a five against two when the second-row forward suffered from a bad case of white line fever two metres out.
The coaches will have taken lots of positives away from the match, along with things to work on during training in the next couple of weeks.
The season proper starts on September 4 with a Cumbrian derby at home to Kendal.
