Carlisle registered their first win back in Regional 2 North when they beat Kirkby Lonsdale 33-20 at Warwick Road.
Kirkby Lonsdale have had a torrid time the last few seasons, so it was important for Carlisle to avoid any complacency about the task in hand.
Carlisle started well and after spurning a virtual walk-in try on five minutes they quickly made amends when Jason Israel crashed over by the posts after a Carlisle five metre line-out. He converted his own try. 0
Five minutes later came the second when another five metre line-out saw Tom Graham totally unmarked on the blindside and a neat pass from Guy Graham saw him canter over the line for an unconverted try.
Carlisle were having the majority of possession and territory in the half, but just couldn’t find an opening in the visitors defence.
Gradually Kirkby started to find a few holes in the home defence and with Carlisle infringing on their 22 in front of the posts, it was an easy three points for the visitors.
As Carlisle searched for another try down the right, a pass out wide was intercepted by the Kirkby winger and he was away down the touchline showing a clean pair of heels to everyone, to score right on half time.
Facing the wind in the second half, and leading 12-10, it only took Carlisle four minutes to increase the score, Israel crashed over for his second and Carlisle’s third try which he converted.
Carlisle were firmly on the ascendancy, and another period of pressure in Kirkby’s 22 saw Lloyd Clark go over for the bonus point try, converted by Israel.
Then 5 minutes later, just as Kirkby seemed to have found a period of possession and territory, Carlisle secured a turnover on their own 22, and with Kirkby stretched, the ball was quickly swung across to Rhys Callaghan on the wing, who put on the afterburners and neatly side stepped the fullback for Carlisle’s fifth try and a 33-10 lead.
Then it looked like Carlisle just switched off, and Kirkby took full advantage of this loss in concentration grabbing a try on the hour, then a third right at the end.
