Carlisle entertained Cockermouth in Counties 1 Cumbria and served up an exciting contest.
Nearly 90 points were scored as league leaders Carlisle won 52-35.
But after some clear cut victories beforehand Carlisle knew they had been in a contest on this occasion.
In the first few minutes, Carlisle scored an unconverted try in the corner after a rapid handling move.
From the kick-off Carlisle were adjudged offside and Jake Moore kicked the penalty with just five minutes on the clock.
Carlisle were awarded a penalty following a high tackle and from the following line-out they produced a drive to the left then moved right to score under the posts and led 12-3.
Carlisle were penalised from the kick-off and Moore slotted over the kick.
Despite Carlisle attacking at every opportunity for the next 10 minutes the Wasps denied them any further scores with excellent defence.
Just after the second quarter Wasps received a yellow card, unsettling their midfield defence pattern and the experienced Carlisle 8,9,10 axis exerted their influence.
From a scrum on 25 minutes Carlisle played a one-out move and ran through under the posts to score a converted try.
From the following kick-off, Carlisle scored another try with excellent pace and handling.
A brief spell of Wasps possession ended with them losing the ball to Carlisle in midfield.
From there the home side rucked and mauled successfully to score an unconverted try wide out.
Wasps had a good spell of possession for the next few minutes moving up to the Carlisle line but they couldn’t capitalise. Then followed a period of intense rucks and tackles ending in a penalty to Carlisle which was kicked to the 22 metre line.
From there they moved the ball quickly to and fro ending in a converted try under the posts and at half-time had a comfortable 38-6 lead.
By this time coach Stephen Reed had already been making some tactical and injury changes to the team and took the half-time interval to make further adjustments.
The second half was a contrast to the first half as Wasps stepped up the pace and achieved much more possession with aggressive forward play.
A penalty to Wasps was taken as a scrum on the Carlisle 22 and after a period of possession the hosts strayed off side and were penalised again.
This time Cockermouth took a tap and go which ended in a try for Will Tyson converted by Moore.
Ten minutes into the second half the Carlisle number eight was yellow carded and the penalty converted by Moore.
Wasps then penned Carlisle in their 22 for several phases. Eventually, Finn Reed burst through two or three defenders to dot down after excellent rucking and mauling with Lewis Bancroft prominent.
For the next 10 minutes Wasps controlled the game with dominant forward play forcing Carlisle to give away several penalties.
Carlisle eventually achieved a little possession, from which they picked up the pace to score a converted try by the posts.
After 65 minutes, Wasps continued pressurising the Carlisle line and Ben Irving scored with Moore converting.
There was still time for Carlisle to score another converted try to take them over the half century mark.
In the final moments two consecutive penalties to Wasps followed by deft handling put Luke Broster through for a try converted by Moore.
Carlisle had won the first half 35-6, with Wasps taking the second 29-17 and going home with a fully deserved bonus point.
Man of the match for Cockermouth was Adam Brough while the award for Carlisle went to fly-half Jake Whittaker.
The Carlisle tries were scored by Whittaker (3), Lloyd Clark (2), Lewis Tingey, Robbie Prudham and Alfie Batty. Vince Lung landed six conversions.
- Before the game there had been a minute’s silence for the late John Cusack who had played for both clubs during his long career. His funeral service in All Saint’s Church, Cockermouth had been standing room only.
