This was a tremendous game of rugby. High skill, whole hearted endeavour, no quarter given or taken, played in a fantastic spirit, and a result in doubt right to the end. The lead changed hands on eight occasions, finally on the last kick of the game.

Given the amount of rain and freezing conditions of the past week the playing surface was remarkably good, perhaps a bit soft underfoot but no hindrance to open expansive rugby. It was the home side that struck first and within the first five minutes. A lineout won centrefield saw a break through the Tynefield midfield and when Carlisle switched direction back full back Johnny Crichton had enough space to show his pace and go through for the first try wide right. Carlisle continued to dominate with scrum half Conor Slater sniping from the back of a ruck on half way only being hauled down deep in the visitors 22 the resulting pick drive held up over the line. And when Tyne managed to clear it was run back by the impressive Carlisle back three only for the final pass not to go to hand and the chance spurned.

Tynedale finally managed to get some possession, and their impressive forward unit created some panic in the Carlisle ranks. A penalty conceded gave Tynedale a lineout deep in the home 22 and they took the chance to drive over in the corner. An excellent conversion gave the a 5-7 lead on fifteen minutes.

The home side regained the lead on twenty five minutes when from a lineout won on the half way line the ball was worked through three phases to create space on the left for Crichton to go through for a second try.

The dye was cast. Set pieces and competition at the breakdown were even. When the home side got the ball wide they looked as if they could score anytime, but in the tight exchanges it was the visitors who had the edge. A turnover on half way and Carlisle were back on the front foot, and winger Shaw Bell had the strength and pace to exploit a gap and run in under the sticks from 30 metres. Jake Whittaker converted and Carlisle were 17-7 ahead as half time approached. They should have been further ahead again attacking from wide, but a spilt pass and the chance was gone. It was Tyne who ended the have on the front foot as their forwards carried deep into the hosts 22. Carlisle lost Joe Marrs to the bin for obstruction and Tynedale looked for another catch and drive. This time it was repelled and the half was over.

The second period began with the visitors back on the front foot and on five minutes in they were back in the game. Immense pressure on the hosts line was repelled but illegally. A quick tap and Tyne were over wide right, an excellent touchline conversion brought the score back to 17-14.

The next ten minutes was an arm wrestle. The Carlisle pack were excellent in the loose, but Tynes ball retention in the forwards and half back game management saw them gradually wrest a measure of control from the home team. A series of concerted drives saw them again deep in the Carlisle 22 and despite a huge defensive effort the pressure eventually told as Tyne went over agin from close range. They had the lead again, 17-19.

But back came Carlisle. A break, a kick and chase won by Tyne to allow a clearing 22. But this only gave the ball back to the hosts who ran back from deep, another chip and chase, another 22. This time however the kick was charged down, a final hack and Sam Tunnicliffe won the footrace. The try was converted and the hosts were ahead again 22-19. It was end to end now. Tyne's scrum half saw a gap and ran in from 30 metres. 22-26. Back came Carlisle running hard at the visitors and only a deliberate knock on could stop them. Penalty was converted calmly by Whittaker and it was a one point game with 10 minutes to play.

From the kick off Carlisle were back on the offensive; a Greg Baines break gained 50 metres but the pass inside was dropped. Tyne cleared but Carlisle ran it back deep in to the visitors 22. Desperate Tynedale defence initially kept them out, but Jack Carruthers spotted a gap and went over near the sticks to restore the Carlisle lead; Jack Whittakers conversion giving them a six point advantage going into the last five minutes.

Surely that would be enough. But a fumbled restart gave Tynedale possession and their big forwards took full advantage. Desperate defence kept them out, but penalty offences where the cost. Tyne needed the try to give them a chance and with the last play they crashed over. The kick was not easy, 15m in from the right hand touchline. But their kicker had been excellent all afternoon and kept his nerve to slot the extras.

What a game! Congratulations to Tynedale, who win not only a place in the next round but also the coveted Hunting Horn. Hopefully we can repeat the fixture next year and win it back!!

Carlisle Rugby Club

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