After last weeks thumping, there's no other word for it, by Middlesborough, things were not going to get any easier against the visiting league leaders Northern, led by old boy Tommy Mac. So what could Carlisle do to build on some flashes of good play last week?

It started brightly for Carlisle as they kicked off, almost immediately winning a penalty for a 5m line out. Although Northern defended it well, a series of scrums, which Carlisle had the upper hand in all match, gave them a golden opportunity for a 2 on 1 in the corner, which was missed. They redeemed themselves moments later though, as centre Robbie James took a flat pass from fellow centre Luke Bell, to breakthrough the covering defence and go through by the posts. Try converted by Jason Israel and with 7 minutes gone Carlisle were 7-0 up.

Carlisle continued to press Northern, not allowing them to settle into any rhythm, and an infringement 10m into Northern's half gave Israel the chance for a long range penalty which was slotted to increase the lead to 10-0.

Northern tried hard to get into Carlisle's red zone, but some very good defence by the home side, kept the visitors at bay. Northern's lineout was a real mess, with Batty, Brocket, Parish and Clark, stealing lineout ball all match as the visitors attempted a combination of musical chairs and the hokey cokey to no great effect. It was only when they calmed down a little that their lineout seemed to function. Carlisle's, on the other hand, was peerless, with Tom Graham rarely missing the target, and gave Carlisle plenty of possession. It was a measure of Northern's building frustration that they elected for a penalty to cut the points deficit to 10-3.

Carlisle were quick to extend their lead though as another lineout catch and drive down the right, just saw Tom Graham stopped short of the line, a freshly tanned Captain Josh Holmes picking up and burrowing over for Carlisle's second midway through the half. 15-3

The pattern repeated for the rest of the half, with Carlisle's defence being more than up to the task of repulsing anything Northern could throw at them, whilst taking opportunities to push back and test the visitors defence, though without any further scores.

The ref blew for half time, we all wondered where this Carlisle team had been hiding their light, but looked forward to more of it in the second half, because they had dominated the league leaders in the first half.

Then just like Bobby Ewing in Dallas, I think we all woke up from the shower.

Northern came out of the traps with a lot more purpose, and we seemed to have switched off. A dropped ball, a couple of penalties against us, Northern's lineout calmed down and they were over in the corner with a touchline conversion to get back in the match with just 4 minutes gone. 15-10

Carlisle's intensity levels had dropped away, whereas Northern definitely found a second wind, with their backs making significant inroads. It was just shy of the hour mark, when another much simplified Northern lineout allowed them to push down the left, drawing the Carlisle defence across. Their fly half, spotting this, then threaded an inch perfect crossfield kick to their right winger who was round the corner of Carlisle's defence and over for an easily converted try, and a 15-17 lead that didn't look possible in the first half.

That was to be repeated again 10 minutes later as another Northern lineout on the Carlisle 22 was driven across the park by their forwards, until their centre spotted a gap at the breakdown and was over by the posts for their third try 15-24.

Their bonus point came just three minutes later as they moved ball across the park at pace from the half way line, and with their fullback drawing the last man, slipped the ball outside for the winger to scoot down the left touchline and over in the corner for a 15-29 lead.

From the restart, Carlisle pressed forward and some hard yards by the forwards gave the home side territory and possession within the visitors 22. Northern were put under the cosh again and a series of penalties gave Carlisle 5m lineout catch and drive practice. With their second attempt bringing cries for a penalty try rebuffed by the referee, their third attempt saw Rory Parish driven over for Carlisle's third try. Israel nervelessly slotting the touchline conversion to bring Carlisle into bonus point territory 22-29, with just a few minutes left on the clock.

Unfortunately it was not enough though as a 30m penalty for Northern, was slotted between the posts with the referee blowing for time shortly after the restart.

As you may know I take a few pictures of matches. The best photo from this game is the one left in the camera, of Head Coach George Graham with his head in his hands in frustration after tearing his players a new one after the game. He, along with probably most of the crowd realised this was a golden opportunity missed for this side to put the leaders to the sword, which they were capable of after the first half performance. Make no mistake, Northern were rocked by Carlisle's performance in the first half. All credit to them for coming back at Carlisle in the second half, especially when they left their Strictly Come Dancing antics at the lineout, in the dugout at half time. Carlisle will hope they don't rue this missed opportunity in a long season to come, but if they learn from the many positives in the first half, and the mistakes in the second half, they'll be a very competitive side in this league.

Its a break in the season for the next couple of weeks, with the next game away at Guisborough on 12th October.
Onwards and upwards.