Strange as it may seem considering West scored 5 tries and 36 points, throughout the game we struggled with handling errors, pass after pass going to ground or being fumbled. Carlisle dominated for long periods and were left to rue some missed kicks, fly-half Max Connon hitting the post no less than 3 times in a total of 5 misses from 7 attempts.

The visitors certainly got off to the perfect start, opening up a 15-0 lead with three tries in the opening 25 minutes. We had barely threatened the line in that period and didn't look like a side that had been running in so many points in pre-season and last week at Cleckheaton.

With our first real attacking position on the half hour, Andrew Foreman capitalised on turnover ball and burrowed over for an important score and then the complexion of the game changed dramatically in first half injury time. Scott Jordan slotted over a simple penalty to cut the lead to 7 points and then almost immediately from the restart we got back on the attack and Gareth Foreman took a quick tap penalty in the 22 and skipped round a few tackles to score under the posts and leave Jordan to tie the scores going into the break.

It was more than we had deserved from the opening 40 minutes of rugby but when the opportunities had presented themselves we had scored points – something that was said of a lot of visiting teams to Brinkburn last season but very rarely towards the home side!

Connon nudged Carlisle back in front with a penalty 10 minutes into the second half but two tries in 5 minutes restored our lead. First Gareth Foreman got his second of the game, chipping through and collecting himself for a great individual try and then a score for Liam Bailey, supporting Foreman well after the fly-half had broken through a midfield gap. Jordan added both conversions for a healthy 29-18 lead.

With the visitors having lost an entire back-row to a variety of injuries it seemed as though the game was over but they battled back and James Clarke secured them a four-try bonus point with a touch down on 62 minutes. We responded immediately with Anth Carr powering over from short range 3 minutes later, replacement Paul Moss adding the conversion. But when Moss missed a simple penalty with 10 minutes to go, Carlisle came to life once again.

Centre Chris Harris scored with an almost length-of-the-field run after a turnover in the 22 and Connon's conversion cut the lead just to a single score with 5 minutes to play. After seemingly having the game won midway through the half it wasn't the nervous end most of the home supporters had been expecting and thankfully some good ball control saw the remaining minutes tick from the referee's watch without Carlisle getting another scoring chance.

There can certainly be no complaints about the result but the performance was probably more like a “could do better”. However, winning without playing your best rugby is a useful habit to get in to and the way we took our scoring opportunities when they came was a definite reason to feel encouraged.

Next week's trip to Durham City looks a little tougher after their win at Team Northumbria and we will certainly have to improve defensively if we want to keep the 100% record going.


West: Jordan, C Cheslin, Hodgson (Barker), Robinson (Moss), Larkin, G Foreman, A Foreman, Carr, Bailey, Coates (Stockdale), Davies, T Dixon, D Boatman, J Boatman, Rudd.

Tries: A Foreman, G Foreman 2, Bailey, Carr
Cons: Jordan 3, Moss
Pen: Jordan

Yellow Card: J Boatman

Carlisle: Boyd, Clark, Harris, Little, Holmes, Connon, Blain, Stamper, Graham, Hermeston, Halliday, Barron, Ritchie, Brumpton, Pavitt.
Reps: McGimpsey, Oddie, Wylie

Tries: Clarke 2, Holmes, Connon, Harris
Cons: Connon
Pen: Connon