Carlisle condemn Wigton to derby defeat

Carlisle survived a late fightback by Wigton to win yesterday’s hotly-contested north Cumbrian derby and all-but condemn their close neighbours to relegation.

The visitors held out against an early Wigton onslaught to go into half-time 3-13 ahead, before the hosts cut the deficit to one point in the second half, however a late pushover try ensured Carlisle took the four points back along the A595 with a 5-21 win.

It was a bitterly cold day in rural Cumbria despite (or perhaps because of) the sunny weather, though fortunately Lowmoor Road offers among the best matchday meals in rugby – steak pie, chips, peas and gravy. At least the twice I’ve been there, that’s been on, and at £3.50 it was also as cheap as, well, chips, and quite lovely.

Match report here.