Carlisle Rugby Club rebooted their season with an important 29-20 win at Rochdale.

After a tough opening to the North One West campaign against the three leading sides, Carlisle took full advantage of meeting not-so-successful opponents.

In fact that defeat sent Rochdale to the bottom of the table as previous occupants St Benedict’s produced the shock result of the day, beating Wilmslow 20-19.

Carlisle have experienced numerous injury problems so far this season and there were more on Saturday.

Afterwards, skipper Tom Graham said: “Five points on the road is always good so I’m pleased with that result.

“We will take confidence from the game as there were some solid performances from the lads with also a big thanks to those players who stepped up.

“We need to reflect and improve the general performance of the team, but that’s what training is for, and we go again this week.”

Taking only 17 players on the road could have cost Carlisle dear, yet the players who travelled earned their spurs, especially Chris Hubberstey and Joe Marrs, who as 17-year-olds made their senior team debuts.

Hubberstey, in fact, scored the opening try for Carlisle after Rochdale had kicked an early penalty.

Although Rochdale briefly held the lead from a second penalty, Carlisle were 19-6 ahead at the break.

Prop Josh Holmes and winger Yousef Abdul-Sahib scored additional tries with James Telford tacking on the extras to both.

The second half saw additions to Carlisle’s ever-growing injury list but they battled on and scored two further tries to make sure of victory.

Young flanker Cameron Steel scored his first senior try while Holmes went over for his second of the game.

Carlisle are back at Warwick Road today with a visit from old rivals Warrington.

Games between the two clubs have been close in recent years and another tight contest is expected.

Warrington, who have five more points than Carlisle and are three places higher in the table, beat Manchester 32-0 last week.

Over in North One East, Penrith stayed top with a very good 48-22 win at West Hartlepool.

The North-east outfit are always up for a physical scrap and make themselves difficult to beat.

Penrith did come through this test relatively unscathed and, although they never looked like losing, there was always the threat the home side might stage a comeback.

It was far from a perfect performance with too many lapses in concentration but it was a gutsy show with plenty of skill and good rugby in parts – plenty for them to work on in the coming weeks.

Penrith were 22-7 ahead at half-time but started the second half poorly. West quickly pulled back three points from a simple penalty. But the Cumbrians got moving again and scored four more tries to go well clear.

The Penrith tries were scored by Ben Littleton (2), Brad Taylor (2), Jay Rossi, George Graham and Jamie McNaughton.

Five points clear at the top, Penrith are back at Winters Park today hosting Huddersfield YMCA.

The visitors have won two out of five and are just four points clear of the bottom three.

There were disappointments for both Keswick and Aspatria in North Lancs Cumbria as they suffered home defeats.

Previously unbeaten Keswick lost 27-18 to Aldwinians while Aspatria went down 22-13 against old rivals De La Salle.

Keswick, without five regulars, would have earned a bonus point if they had converted a late try.

It was 10-10 at the break but Keswick could only manage a penalty from Andy Muir and a try by Ryan Weir in the second half.

Harry Vaillant had scored the first-half try, converted by Muir who also kicked a penalty.

This afternoon, Keswick hope to have some of their absentees back when they visit Burnley. The East Lancashire side are third bottom following their promotion, having won only one game.

Aspatria have only managed two wins from five outings and their ambitions to move up a league already look tenuous.

They had a narrow 10-8 lead at half-time with Fraser McNee scoring the try and Grant Bethwaite providing a conversion and penalty.

Although Bethwaite extended their lead with an early penalty, that was it from the Black Reds and the Salford side came through to win with two converted tries. It really is make or break time for Aspatria who have to bring something substantial back from their visit to Oldham.

Wigton are a place and a point better off than their neighbours Aspatria after beating bottom side Hawcoat Park 29-12 at Lowmoor Road.

A sound first-half performance laid the basis for the win as they led 24-0 at the break.

There was some disappointment after Wigton scored a fifth try, yet Hawcoat Park came back well to dominate the last half hour of the match.

A converted penalty try had got Wigton on the scoreboard and other tries followed from Dan Reed, the outstanding Richard Moffatt, Stephen Harris and Elliot Armstrong.

Upper Eden share the lead in the Cumbria League with Furness and Whitehaven even though their game at Millom was postponed last week.

Today, they entertain Carlisle Crusaders who were beaten 47-5 at home to Furness last week.

Second and third meet in south Cumbria as Furness host Whitehaven who were 24-19 winners at home to Silloth. Today, Silloth entertain Egremont (47-20 winners against Cockermouth). Cockermouth entertain Windermere.