Carlisle’s return to Counties 1 Cumbria on Saturday provided them with a huge 84-0 win.
But their victory at the Ellis Sports Ground almost certainly raised more questions about their hosts Workington than the city side themselves.
Biggest question of all – what on earth has happened to the Zebras?
They seem to have been going backwards for several years and this proud West Cumbrian club is now best known for the exploits of its ladies team the Workington Finches.
Surely they can do better than this?
Carlisle’s tries were scored by Kennedy (2), Tingey (4), Lung, Clark (2), Rawling (2), Park (2), Whittaker and Batty.
What next for the Zebras? Well a free week for them to recover physically and mentally as Amlesifde, also free tomorrow, will visit the Ellis instead on September 27.
Carlisle, meanwhile are on the road again this time to take on Keswick seconds at Davidson Park.
Their hosts had drawn 22-22 at Egremont in their opening contest.
The other results were:
Ambleside 5, Whitehaven 35; Cockermouth 43, Millom 5; Creighton 19, St Benedict’s 32; Penrith 2nds 43, Kirkby Lonsdale 26; Windermere 14, Hawcoat Park 25.
This week’s fixtures are: Cockermouth v Hawcoat Park (Stewart Mounsey); Keswick 2nds v Carlisle (Stephen Elliott); Kirkby Lonsdale v Egremont (Jonny Watson); Millom v Penrith 2nds (Mike Firby); St. Benedict’s v Windermere (Alistair Jones); Whitehaven v Creighton (Mike Pate).
In Regional Two North there is another Cumbrian derby, and likely to be as close as the first.
Aspatria shaded local rivals Wigton 48-46 on opening day and follow-up again at Bower Park as they host Keswick.
The Lakesiders enjoyed a good opening derby win themselves by 25-0 against Upper Eden, and will be confident going into the trip to Aspatria which will be controlled by Martin Maughan.
Both those losers, Wigton and Upper Eden have home games on Saturday.
The Greens, who might have sneaked the Aspatria derby but for a missed penalty in front of the posts, entertain Guisborough.
Saturday’s visitors were also away on opening day, going down 43-12 at Durham City.
It’s one Wigton will certainly have targeted for a win when the fixture list came out but clearly more work in defence will have occupied training scheduled this week. Martin Denvir is the referee.
Simon Barker is the man in the middle for Upper Eden’s game at Pennine Park against Morpeth.
The visitors had a close win 24-21 over Sunderland to start their season.
In Regional One North East Penrith have their first home game of the season, looking to build on last week’s excellent 40-20 success at Cleckheaton.
They take-on Harrogate at Winters Park and the visitors will be in good heart as they started with a very good 35-26 win at home to Middlesbrough.
It’s a new look Penrith side and the way they went about their business at Cleckheaton bodes well for the season.
Kendal met Halifax side Heath for the first time and were on the wrong end of the 35-18 scoreline.
Kendal had four debutants against one of the promotion favourites – wing forward Andy Rogers (ex-Penrith), centre Archie Bradshaw (ex-Kirkby Lonsdale), hooker Robbie Kincart (ex-Fylde) and stand-off Evan Moir (ex-Alnwick).
They were still in the contest at half-time, trailing 20-15 but the visitors pulled away to win with room to spare.
Muir marked his debut with his first points, two penalties and a conversion while Ollie Rose and Ben Dixon scored the tries.
On Saturday Kendal have another home game, this time against Ilkley who started with a 54-31 home win over York.
