A young and inexperienced Carlisle side was put to the sword by a Middlesbrough team that will surely be pushing for the top spot come the end of the season in Regional 2 North.
They were a slick impressive side who played at a high pace, took all their chances clinically and won 77-19.
The Carlisle side that travelled was significantly changed from the previous week as the injury list mounted and with a couple of unavailabilities.
There a were a number of call-ups, including three of last season’s Colts – Bobby Rawling, George Tunnicliff, and Matt Wasilkowski.
Alongside Finn Kennedy that makes four of last season’s Colts squad who have now played senior 1st XV rugby already this campaign.
Before the match commenced a minute’s silence was held to celebrate the life of North East rugby legend and former Middlesbrough coach John Moore who died earlier in the week.
Boro were out of the blocks quickly and from only their second move of the match a pick from the back of a scrum saw them attack the Carlisle midfield effectively to register a first try after only two minutes.
The try was converted, and the Boro kicker had an excellent afternoon all round with a 100% conversion rate.
The home side continued to dominate from the re-start, but just as they were looking likely to score again Robbie James intercepted a pass, and he went three quarters of the length for the try. Jason Israel converted to level the score.
Boro continued to dominate, but another interception saw Jake Whittaker run clear and only heroic scrambling defence prevented Carlisle from taking the lead.
However, this was only a brief respite as the home side continued to press and eventually from a strong scrum their scrum-half sniped through to score their second on the 20 minute mark.
When a third was added five minutes later things were looking ominous for the visitors. Carlisle were not just spectators and had moments of their own, but dropped passes and high ball errors gave Boro significant territory advantage, and they capitalised clinically.
A bonus point try from the back of the scrum arrived on 30 minutes. In the final 10 minutes of the first half they doubled their tally and some of the home side’s rugby was mightily impressive even if Carlisle were contributing to their own downfall. At half time it was 56-7.
The start of the second half saw Boro on the attack again, but this time the visitors defence held firm and a stolen ball at a maul saw them break up the field. They were first to the breakdown to recycle quickly and work the ball wide to Wasilkowski to pass inside to Whitaker for the second try, again converted by Israel.
Carlisle were having their best spell of the match and a scrum break from Lloyd Clark enabled them to camp in the Boro 22 for a good period, at the end of which skipper Vince Lung sniped over from close range after a line-out drive.
Amazingly despite the score Carlisle were looking at the possibility of a try bonus! However, it was not to be as the home side reasserted some dominance and pressed in the visitors 22.
Eventually pressure told as Tom Graham ended-up in the bin and Boro took advantage to score their first try of the second period 25 minutes in. Carlisle were now tiring significantly and Boro took advantage for a further two scores in the final 10 minutes.
