CARNFORTH gained their biggest league victory for many a season on Saturday over a gallant Blackpool outfit, and in doing so moved up to second in the league.
The seasiders had no answer to the strong running of the Carnforth side as 11 tries wer
e scored including a first-half hat-trick for winger Phil Metcalfe.
Carnforth made one change to the starting line up from last week's win at North Manchester with Alex Talbot returning to the side on the wing.
Once again a strong bench was there to be used with Kyle Berry, Jason Short and Brett O'Brien.
After passing a late pitch inspection and with a large crowd down at the Kellet Road ground, Carnforth started at a frantic pace with Olly Cousins and skipper Mathew Short seeing plenty of the ball early on.
However, the first score came from the forwards who were dominant all day.
Man of the match Jason Waterhouse made the initial break before lock Craig Parkinson was able to burst under the defence for his third try in three games. Minutes later and the score was increased, flanker Dan Shepherd picking up from the scrum before powering his way over the try line, Cousins converted.
On the 15 minute mark and scrum half Greg Sykes continued his excellent form when he made a break to allow Metcalfe to grab his first of the day in the corner.
Three minutes later and once again the same pair linked together along with assistance from Parkinson and number eight John Greenland, Metcalfe again finishing the move with his second try.
Blackpool, stunned by the opening 20 minutes onslaught, came back well and this is a club hit by injuries and players unavailable, but they stuck in well and enjoyed 15 minutes of territory in the Carnforth half.
They had some quality players with captain Leon Mason the stand-out player for his side. They had pace on the wings and the Carnforth defence had to be alert. Talbot, John Edmondson and Brad Wheatman kept Blackpool from crossing the whitewash and this allowed the hosts to move back out of defence with some excellent runs from Short and Cousins.
Edmondson thought he had scored with an excellent effort but play was brought back for a foot in touch, that a £2 fine after the match.
However, moments later and a fifth try of the half was scored, Shepherd made the break before Cousins gave the final ball to Metcalfe who sprinted through to complete his hat-trick, Cousins converted for a 29-0 half-time lead.
Carnforth made two early changes with Berry and O'Brien replacing Parkinson and Metcalfe but the pattern of the game remained the same. A clearance from Blackpool fell into the arms of Talbot who spread play across the pitch for Cousins to open up and cross for a deserved try, his conversion sailing over.
Five minutes later and Carnforth were awarded a penalty, Sykes tapped the ball and fed to the oncoming Waterhouse who powered his way through the defence for a fine individual try, Short adding the extras.
Jason Short came on to the field to replace Lee Moorhouse who had been injured when he nearly scored a try but for some intervention from Talbot.
The forwards, despite the changes, carried on with their jobs with hooker Dave Hones again impressing the crowd. From another scrum it was Shepherd who again came away with the ball and as in the first half he jinked his way through to register his second try of the day and sixth of an excellent season.
Carnforth have been on the end of some drubbings in recent seasons so it was good to give one out which can only confidence for the remaining games. The crowd included some Carnforth greats with Max Walker, Kevin Briggs, Joe Greenland, Kevan Holden, Stuart Whitham, Brendan Rich and Ernie Keates amongst the followers. Replacement winger O'Brien showed his finishing potential with a fine solo run to score the ninth try.
Talbot must have thought he would not score as all the play seemed to drift left but he got his chance when the visitors spilled the ball and Talbot was able to pounce and score, with Short converting.
The final try came with the final move, skipper Short cutting back inside to score a deserved try, his conversion rounding off a 67-0 victory and a satisfying day.
Carnforth face a tough trip to West Park on Saturday in a rearranged league game. In the boat race afterwards Carnforth 2nds were the victors over the first team but the first team did have some success over Millhead Football Club.
Carnforth: O'Cousins, A Talbot, B Wheatman, J Edmondson, P Metcalfe (B O'Brien), M Short (capt), G Sykes, L Moorhouse (J Short), D Hones, J Waterhouse, C Parkinson (K Berry), D Winning, J Wilson, D Shepherd, J Greenland.
Theakstons/Pepperami man of the match: Jason Waterhouse.
Shirt sponsor: IT Net Limited, Jacksons Builders, Mr and Mrs R Crowe.
