In difficult conditions Carlisle earned plenty of praise for their efforts at West Hartlepool in Regional 2 North.
The hosts were leading 24-10 when the game was ended early after 68 minutes because of the wet and cold and biting wind.
Credit to both sides and the officials for putting on an enthralling display in horrendous conditions and the result will stand.
The conditions to play in were brutal. The howling gale was blowing pretty much straight down the pitch and West choose to play against the elements in the first half. Carlisle had some early pressure, but the West defence held firm and by retaining possession well in the tight, worked their way into the visitors half.
This was a feature of the game for both sides as it was a day for up the jumper and minimising the mistakes!
A couple of penalties saw West in the Carlisle 22, and close forward play saw them squeeze over close to the sticks for the first score from centre Conor McLurg, close enough for the conversion to go over despite the wind.
The rest of the half saw Carlisle press hard for a score, but struggling to cope with the elements.
A couple of times they had a chance to drive over but the last pass went astray, and the chance literally slipped away. A long range penalty from Robbi James reduced the arrears to 7-3, but a second effort fell short and half time arrived without any further score.
The game was effectively settled in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
A box kick from the back of a ruck was chased down, hacked on and West winger Max Painter won the touchdown race.
A West break saw them back in the Carlisle 22 where they encamped and managed to retain possession for flanker Robinson to burrow over.
And then a fourth try came following a break from full back Siddle, with a chip and chase which he was prevented from scoring illegally and a penalty try awarded.
The game looked out of reach for Carlisle even though they had fought hard throughout. Heads could have dropped as the conditions were worsening, but magnificently they did not and the visitors lifted their game.
Jason Israel marshalled a series of drives and at one point even managed a sweeping backs move into the biting gale.
A chip, a chase and full back Jake Whittaker was unlucky not to score, knocking on as he chased down in the dead ball area.
Carlisle continued to press and finally got the try their effort deserved, after series of forward drives saw Josh Holmes burrow over and James added a conversion.
Carlisle continued to press, made one last huge effort and were once more in the hosts 22.
But West defended resolutely and eventually won a penalty to clear their lines. By this point the weather had further worsened and both sets of players were cold and exhausted.
The referee agreed with both skippers that continuing further was pointless and the game was abandoned.
As they had passed the hour mark, the result will stand and the match does not need to be replayed.
