NOBBY, 'THE PREDICTOR', WINS 6 NATIONS.

CARLISLE  19   VALE OF LUNE  13
NORTH TWO WEST

There is hospitality, then there is hospitality and then there is Carlisle Rugby Club's definition of the noun. From the time the 'Alies' entered a bulging clubhouse on Warwick Road the beer came from all directions, glasses were topped up at regular intervals, the game provided some respite, but the pace was quickly picked up afterwards. In addition everyone was encouraged to go and sample the food on offer, but it was more a case of 'Ready, Steady, Drink!!'
Carlisle United were at home, hence the packed clubhouse and car park full to overflowing, it was not just the Vale of Lune the crowds had come to see.

Inside the clubhouse, there were other goodies on offer and that included the bar staff, but back to back international rugby beaming out of the plasma screens. The Irish were in action when the Vale arrived. 'My word the weather is good in Dublin,' observed one of the Alies. 'It's not Dublin, Scoop,' came the reply. 'It's bloody Rome!'

The journey from Junction 43 on the M6 to Warwick Road took longer than the time taken to get from Penrith to the junction. There was a combination of reasons. The farmer's auction market was in full swing, panic was gripping the nation because it was the Saturday before Mother's Day and rumours abounded that there would not be enough flowers to go round. Huddersfield were playing at Carlisle United in the Coca Cola Championship; a one all draw in front of 6,629 spectators.
So the short distance to Carlisle's ground was taken at a snails pace. At one stage the coach was flagged down by a motorcycle policeman, but the coach was not going to be escorted with flashing lights and sirens from a throbbing BMW, all the officer wanted to know if we were football supporters; perhaps he had spotted Cumpst!

Skipper Neil Bennetts began to chew his nails but the tension eased when the floodlights came into view. A late arrival did curtail some aspects of the pre match warm up, so the players, like the Alies had to pack a great deal in before kick off. However, both groups were fully prepared by kick off, although as the teams trotted out the sprinkling of youth in the respective ranks suggested that some might require ID to purchaes drinks and that their toiletries might include a tube of Clearasil in addition to Old Spice and soap on a rope, or even an appointment card to a tanning centre.

In fact, one of the Vale's elder statesmen, James Curran, he will be twenty two at the end of the month, opened the scoring with an unconverted try after James Bryan had scooted crossfield, in the seventh minute. Five minutes later Andy Garnett, who was on fine form, lashed over a monster forty metre penalty goal downwind.
On a dark, wet, windy afternoon, it was vital to establish a decent half time score. Vale went further ahead in the twenty second minute when Danny Lin beat everyone to the draw when he flicked up a loose ball to sprint away beneath the posts, Andy Garnett added the conversion.

With an audible buzz coming from near neighbours Carlisle United's game, Carlisle snatched an important try just before half time when hooker Graham Kidd was bundled over for a try. The home side edged closer in the firty fifth minute when stand off Scott Nelson cavorted over for a try converted by Bobby Sherlock.
The game then settled down to a pretty tense affair as two well matched sides struggled to gain the initiative. Dave Halliwell briefly left the action to have his nose plugged with half a metre of Mike Sheard's finest cotton wool. Chances came and went for both sides before Carlisle posted the winning score.

Not for the first time this season the Vale let their heart rule their head, giving the judges an extra twirl in a flash fandango when a basic quick step was all that was required. A passing move became too complex, the ball was lost and Scott Nelson, from well inside his own half, shot away. The chasers were slow to react, they hung around on the edges and when they decided to pursue the number 10 he was cantering between the posts, Bobby Sherlock, a goal kicking wing forward added the conversion.

With time running out on came all the Vale's replacements, with all three making contributions in a late rally. Alistair Richards almost split the Carlisle defence with a well balanced run, Mark Sutcliffe whipped everyone along for one last effort and Lee Farnworth appeared to have breached the line but the Vale had infringed in the build up.

There was still plenty of time before the coach left, to luxuriate in the clubhouse. Eventually the Vale were allowed to buy some ale, and once again Gerald established himself as favourite for the 'Alies Pussy' award with another impeccable stint as kitty master; certainly he has left the rest of the litter behind.
Nobby Entwistle, bean counter to the aristocracy, hardly noticed the pints that kept flowing his way; he was fully focused on the Six Nations and the scorelines. Using all his double entry experience he tried to work out how he stood in the competition predicting the results of the games. A knowing smile suggested, after the Wales England game , that he might be in with a chance - and so it proved, 229 being the magic total.

VALE OF LUNE  A.Miller, J.Bryan, R.Thorn (Rep A.Richards 75), A.Garnett, J.Curran, N.Bennetts (Capt), A.Bolsover, P.Jackson, D.Schuyler, D.Halliwell (Rep M.Sutcliffe 75), J.Knox, D.Perry, L.Ford (Rep L.Farnworth 75) D.Lin, M.Fowler.