Last updated 13:40, Thursday, 02 October 2008

Carlisle 7, Tynedale Raiders 51 THE scoreline would suggest that this was stroll in the Carlisle breezy sunshine for the Tynedale second string.

While it is fair to say the game was won convincingly, the manner in which victory was achieved is arguably worth scrutiny.

Jamie Murray, taking the field for his first full game after a year out with a knee injury, was voted most valuable player.

He scored the first two tries, after good approach work by centre Robin Holroyd and full back Matthew Horrocks.

Fly half Rhys Evans converted one try and added a penalty to bring the score to 15-0.

To show the manner in which Carlisle have improved, their forwards, who were generally heavier, kept the pressure on the Raiders in the tight and the backs threatened on occasions.

It is worth noting that with four props missing in the top two teams, the two initial replacements of Dan Lowden and Tom Lavelle, both normally hookers, put in exceptional performances against bigger opposition props, who clearly plied their trade there week in, week out.

The next two tries – the first converted – were scored by full back Horrocks, who managed, after a number of previous attempts, to get through or around the Carlisle defensive wall, and replacement winger Johnny Burch, who managed a try wide out from his first touch of the ball.

Rather disappointingly, this was followed by a rather soft converted try by Carlisle.

For a sustained period, the Raiders forwards, led by back row Johnny Cousin (who did score the previous week, contrary to last week’s report) encamped in the Carlisle quarter of the field.

The pressure produced a try for back row Graham McGilchrist, and a penalty try, which could have been given for any one of a number of infringements following the pressure from a Raiders five-metre scrum, making the score 44-7.

The final try was certainly one of the best constructed, with a quick ball being fed out from a right side breakdown.

A good pass via replacement flanker Roger Nixon was followed by good approach work from replacement Jamie March, eventually setting up Colin Murphy for a converted try in the corner to make the final score 51-7.

One of the surprises of the day was the kicking of modest young fly half Rhys Evans who managed an outstanding five from seven conversions, and two penalties, having never previously given an inclination of his talent with the boot.

The performance, albeit against weaker opposition, was generally more pleasing in the previous two games with the penalty count reduced after the early exchanges.

However, while the teamwork is there, the performance generally is not flowing yet.

This is an area that needs to be rectified in the next two games against Durham City tomorrow.