Penrith went down 24-22 at lowly Bowden in North One West but it was a game they could have, and really should have, won.
They were not at their best but got themselves into a winning position, two scores ahead, midway through the second half.
Unfortunately they were then unable to manage the game and grind out the win.
Bowden were not the rabbits their league position suggested and they had won last time out away at Vale.
They had a strong pack, perhaps not the most mobile, but the visitors did look to have the beating of them in the backs with much more pace but it didn’t end up working out that way.
From the start Bowden looked to play a kicking game as their stand-off opted for the boot at every opportunity whereas the visitors looked to move the ball when they could.
Mike Fearon made good ground with a little show and go early on and the Cumbrians were rewarded after ten minutes when Ed Swale took a quick tap penalty on half-way.
He made progress against a back peddling defence and when he was finally stopped Adam Howe ploughed on further.
The ball was spun wide to the right where Matt Allinson and Jamie McNaughton combined to get Brad Taylor away on the outside. He did run out of room but chipped ahead and chased, before taking a kindly bounce to claim the first score.
At this stage the home side posed no danger from distance but were a threat from close quarters.
From a five metre scrum they were held-up over the line and Penrith had to drop out from their own line.
Bowden rumbled the ball back and the fly-half then launched a cross-kick and again the bounce favoured the attacking side for an easy try. The conversion was successful and the home side had a two point lead
Up to this point the visitors had spent very little time in the home 22 but now they were able to apply a bit of pressure.
Howe and Andy Muir each put storming runs in down the left before the ball was whipped right and Allinson and McNaughton got Matt Boustead into a bit of room and his pace saw him through the gap for a second try for the visitors.
As half-time beckoned Penrith were again turning the screw deep in the home 22.
First at an attacking line-out they couldn’t quite get the better of the home eight and then JJ Key went close breaking from number eight at a five-metre scrum.
Penrith then opted for another five-metre scrum when awarded a penalty. Key again broke but when held up was able to get the ball away to Swale, whoe was still left with a bit to do but was able to nip around the last defender and dot the ball down in the corner. Fearon converted off the touchline and the visitors led 17-7 at the break.
The second half was a messy affair where Penrith looked as if they might just take the game by the scruff of the neck and score a couple more tries to seal the win but it never quite happened.
Muir ran a great line and made a clean break which was carried on by Boustead and took play almost to the line but they couldn’t get the score.
Bowden got back within a score midway through the half with a penalty head on to the posts on the 22.
The visitors then had two bad injuries where Steve Cherry badly tore his knee and then Boustead followed him off the pitch concussed.
They did then extend their lead after they kicked a penalty to the corner where they gained good ball from the line-out.
But they couldn’t make ground against the home pack so spun the ball wide.Any danger looked to have passed when the ball ran loose but replacement Manny Mbatha was alert to the situation.
When the home side played their turnover ball out of contact he picked up the interception and from 22m out made for the line. The cover got to him but he was able to step back inside two tacklers and get to the line.
Penrith now led 22-10 and only needed to play sensible rugby for a second away win but they kept the home side interested giving the ball up too easily and conceding penalties.
They invited the home side deep into their 22 and they eventually forced the try and then as panic set in they surprisingly allowed the game-winning try to be run in from half way.
Trailing by two points the visitors still had chances to win the game.
They were able to kick a penalty to the corner and secured line-out ball but were unable again to force the try.
However they were awarded a penalty which was eminently kickable and although struck nicely slipped wide.
In the final minute they had another penalty attempt, this time not as easy and just beyond the ten metre line.
Again it was well struck and had the length but again was just wide.
Penrith had won two bonus points which on the road is not an unmitigated disaster but it could have been so much better.
