Round 16 Carlisle Centurions vs Hemel Stags


Carlisle Centurions 28 Hemel Stags 42

Hemel came into this game knowing that to keep the pressure on the leading pack nothing less then a win would do. The Stags responded showing real commitment and determination to take the spoils.

Hemel took an early lead following a delayed kick off after their difficult journey when they capitalised on a Carlisle knock-on under their own posts for full back Barry-John Swindells to cross, converting his own try from the touchline.
Immediately after that a clever kick through saw Carlisle winger Steve Moss completely miss the ball and Keiran Dixon was able to hack through and score, again by the posts.
When a grapple tackle was penalised and Hemel got a further six tackles in the shadow of the Centurions sticks, they spread the ball wide for Dave Afreh to cross.
Scott Clendenning-Fenton then broke from deep to score and with Swindells perfect with the boot, Carlisle looked beaten before they had got into the game at 0-24 down.

With a more even share of the ball, the hosts hit back, winger Steve Moss had evaded the Stags tacklers to cross, Tony Pickthall adding the extras.
Craig Stalker and Stags Jamie Acton were sin-binned following a disagreement on 25 minutes and Carlisle came closest to scoring through Michael Scott in the aftermath.
Within 5 minutes, he had done the trick powering across at the left of the posts following a bustling drive as the Centurions’ belief returned.
Centre Jarred Searson must have thought he had crossed for the Stags but Moss appeared from nowhere to bulldoze him into touch and, just before half time, an inter-passing move between the Stalker twins saw Craig cross for a try, converted by Michael Scott.

The second half was nip and tuck and John Webber showed why he was named as man of the match doing some great work around the play the ball area, but eventually Craig Stalker crossed for his second try following sustained home pressure, Scott’s conversion narrowing the gap to two points.

Hemel got the crucial next score through Brendan Williams collecting a Clendenning-Fenton grubber that was perfectly aimed at the goalpost, Swindells crucially landing the conversion.

Hemel pushed the game beyond the hosts when Carlisle’s James Sanderson lost the ball under intense pressure and prop James Howitt accepted the opportunity and punished the error.
A sixth successful conversion by Swindells meant that Carlisle was denied a bonus point despite their efforts.

Loose Forward James Weber added insult to injury by sliding over late on, again converted by the metronomic Swindells.

Despite being 20 points down, the Centurions’ enthusiasm never waned ensuring a competitive and highly entertaining contest and they landed the last try through substitute Shaun Richardson.

An appreciative crowd applauded both teams off at fulltime



Tries: Swindells, Dixon, Afreh, Williams, Clendenning-Fenton, Howitt, Webber
Goals: Swindells 7
Hemel Man of the Match: John Webber
Half time: 16-24
Referee: Mike Woodhead