Carlisle would argue that it couldn’t get any worse after their whitewashed drubbing at Aspatria.
Well it didn’t, and although they went down 42-7 at home to Northern in Regional Two North there was certainly an improvement.
There’s a very long way to go, sitting bottom of the table with only one point, but a start seemed to have been made – although it will be tough to continue in similar vein on Saturday when they visit cock-a-hoop Penrith who overturned leaders Morpeth at the weekend.
Against Northern Carlisle had much of the early possession in the first quarter of an hour, but they were unable to capitalise on it.
With pretty much the first real possession that Northern had from ruck ball, they raced down the outside channel to grab their first try.
Carlisle had another good spell of possession but again they just couldn’t make the vital breakthrough.
As before Northern responded in devastating fashion as they got away again and when the full-back was stopped by a high tackle the visitors
A series of penalty infringements by Carlisle didn’t help their cause and Northern set up base camp on the home line, eventually scoring a third converted try on the half-time whistle.
After a fairly even start to the second half Northern eventually put a clinical move together which ended with their bonus point try.
A fifth followed on 70 minutes before Carlisle finally scored a consolation try. It was a well-worked one, too, with the forwards combining well to put Guy Graham away.
He still had work to do but the Whitehaven RL forward, drafted in by his dad, Carlisle coach George Graham, made the line for a converted try.
The final try of the game was scored by Northern to leave Carlisle some ten points adrift at the foot of the table.
