The weather dominated Penrith’s game at Winters Park against Firwood Waterloo, with the temperature at one degree above zero and a gale howling down the pitch.
It made for a classic game of two halves and in the end Penrith triumphed 34-21 to go second.
It was a testament to the skill and ability of both sides that a decent game of rugby ensued in these extremely testing conditions.
The visitors had had first use of the wind but it was the home side that were first to score after opening brightly.
From a scrum Matty Boustead, from outside centre, ran the ball back and went down the blind side. He linked with Andy Muir, who then released Tom Grisedale, playing only his second senior game, and he was able to step inside his man and make the line to score.
The majority of the first half was then a backs to the wall effort by the Cumbrians as Waterloo kept them pinned in their own half and for long periods in the 22.
This was where the game was won and lost, as Penrith as a side defended manfully. The visitors did score but that was hardly surprising given the number of chances they had close to the home line.
They scored after ten minutes following an attacking five metre line-out which Penrith managed to disrupt. They then spoiled their good work by allowing a Waterloo forward to walk through the next breakdown to score an easy try and the conversion gave the visitors a two point advantage.
Half time then beckoned with no further addition to the score and a two-point advantage never looked enough in the conditions.
The home side looked to have done a good job holding it to that when they gave away a sloppy interception try. A 12-point cushion looked much better for the visitors but Penrith came back strongly and mounted a final assault before the break.
They went close under the posts but the defenders had transgressed and a penalty awarded, and before anyone could discuss whether they should go for goal Muir took a quick tap and was over before the defence was organised.
The conversion went over in front of the posts and the lead was back down to two points so the home side looked favourites as they turned round with the wind at their backs.
George Graham came on at half time for his first appearance after going off with a shoulder injury in the opening game of the season and his influence was virtually immediate.
Within two minutes Penrith were ahead. Graham combined with Mike Fearon who put Boustead away for a nicely taken try.
He broke out of his own half shortly after and almost made the line and then was instrumental in his side’s fourth and bonus point try.
Although quite a bit smaller than their opposite numbers the Penrith pack had them under the cosh all afternoon at the set scrum.
With the visitor’s scrum in reverse on their own line Graham was able to disrupt the number eight pick up and the ball ran loose.
The home forwards latched on to it and a couple of drives later Dan Richardson forced his way over. The conversion pulled the lead out to ten points and it would be a long way back from there for Waterloo.
The game was now being played exclusively in the visitor’s half and mainly in their 22 as Penrith turned the screw.
Jamie McNaughton picked up on some quick turnover ball and added a fifth try and Grisedale added a second try to his tally in his home debut again courtesy of Graham.
The scrums had gone uncontested because of injuries to the visitors but Dowson and Graham were still able to combine from an attacking five metre scrum.
Graham then held the ball just long enough to draw in the cover before looping the ball to Grisedale who went in at the corner.
Waterloo finished the game strongly and added a third try but were unable to add a fourth to claim a bonus point as the home defence held firm.
