Aspatria let a 13-point lead slip away
Last updated 19:40, Thursday, 13 March 2008
ASPATRIA are just playing for pride in the closing league games although they have a County Cup quarter-final to look forward against Carlisle on Easter Saturday.
The Black Reds were a mixture of good and bad on Saturday at home to promotion-chasing Driffield.
They led 13-0 soon after the restart but lost the game at Bower Park 18-13.
Aspatria had blown hot and cold the previous week at Old Crossleyans and were eventually pipped 14-13.
This one was similar as by half-time the Black Reds were looking good sitting on a 10-0 lead with both tries having been registered by top scorer Lee Tinnion.
It looked even better when player-coach Mike Scott landed a penalty to extend the lead early in the second half.
But that was where Aspatria went off the boil and allow Driffield to take control.
However with just three matches left to play Aspatria are looking certain to finish third but out of the promotion picture.
Nothing went right for Workington in their North Lancs Cumbria clash at leaders Blackburn.
Blackburn opted to play with the weather - srong wind and lashing rain - behind them in the first half.
When Workington turned round the sun had come out and the wind had died down considerably. In between the Zebras continually had to re-shuffle their side because of a succession of injuries.
Ryan Dobie got a finger in the eye and was forced to retire, as was skipper Carl Metherell who was concussed after being knocked out.
Matthew Tindall dislocated his knee and influential forward David Bowe also had to limp off after taking a knock.
Blackburn had taken the lead with two penalties and they added a third before half-time. But it was the try in between which upset the Workington players.
Blackburn kicked long in the wind from their own 22 and though the ball stayed in play the referee said it had gone out and insisted on a line-out just outside Workington’s 22 and from the line-out Blackburn scored a converted try.
Workington have a break from league rugby this week-end and play Kendal at the Ellis on Easter Saturday in the quarter-final of the Cumbria Cup.
In the Cumbria League unbeaten leaders Keswick won 41-9 at Whitehaven while second placed Netherhall defeated Moresby 20-0.
At the Playground Whitehaven were level with Keswick for a long time and it was only in the closing 15 minutes when the league leaders scored four tries that they pulled away.
Whitehaven, in fact, had started well and it was against the run of play when Keswick took the lead. Clever play from John Hine at a quick tap penalty saw him chip through and follow up to score. Mark Ireland added the conversion.
Stephen McConnell kicked two penalties for Whitehaven but a penalty from Ireland gave Keswick a 10-6 lead at the break.
Whitehaven enjoyed a very good spell at the start of the second half but could only reduce the arrears with a penalty by McConnell.
Despite good runs by McConnell and strong work by George Suafoa in the second-row Whitehaven couldn’t get the try they needed.
When Keswick broke quickly, picking up on a Whitehaven mistake, Michael Branthwaite went in for a try which stretched the lead to 15-9.
Keswick finished the game well, breaking impressively to score tries from Matty Roper, Jamie McKenzie, Hine and Ben Farrell. Ireland converted two and Brian Storey improved the last.
Netherhall continued their impressive seven-match winning sequence without conceding a try, by beating a physical Moresby team 20-0 at Maryport.
Playing in heavy, windy conditions the game was always going to be tight and there was no score for the first 20 minutes.
Then Ben Brinicombe made a break to feed Ryan Robertson, who made a good 20 metres before being tackled high and Paul Atkinson put over the penalty.
Netherhall’s forwards were playing well and good work in the back row by Jonathan Burnyeat and Steven Knowles resulted in the home side attacking down the right flank Andy Southwell took the ball at pace and made a great break down the blind side to feed inside for Tony Nicholson to score a fine try.
After establishing an 8-0 interval lead Netherhall played the second period in the Moresby half and the visitors defended well but tired as the game wore on.
Ian Gorley and Brinicombe were having fine games in the second row with Gorley winning line-out ball and Brinicombe making good yards at every opportunity.
After one such run Nicholson fed Southwell who raced a good 30 metres, beating three defenders to score an excellent solo try.
Once again Carl Bell at full-back was running the ball back every time he got the ball. Ten minutes from the end Nicholson put in a beautifully rehearsed box kick and Bell raced into the corner to score a well planned try. Atkinson put over an excellent touchline conversion.
Simon Irving, in his first season for Netherhall, once again impressed on the wing with another fine display.
Moresby’s defeat enabled Millom to move into fourth place after they had won 9-0 at Wigton Wanderers. Chris Park kicked three penalties.
The game at Cockermouth, where Aspatria Eagles were due to be the visitors, was called off because of a waterlogged pitch.
There was a tight game at Gosforth Greengarth where the home side just held on to beat an enthusiastic young Workington Steelers side 22-18.
Steelers had started brightly and scored a penalty early on from Jonathan Howarth but the home side hit back immediately.
From a catch and drive prop forward Stephen Brown was bundled over for his first try of the season.
Gosforth forced the pace again and increased their lead when prop Jason Graham, who was playing centre because of absences, barged his way over in the corner.
The home side scored a third try before the break when Matt McGoogan picked up a loose ball and broke away, linking with the backs, before finishing off himself.
Workington started brightly in the second half and quickly reduced the arrears with a second Howarth penalty.
They got even closer with an unconverted try. Alan Mitchell put in a great break, supported by Robert Hodgson and eventually Lee McDonald dived over for the try.
Gosforth responded well and good play by Adam Lamb set up McGoogan for his second try by the posts which Graham Temple converted.
Steelers weren’t finished, however, and when John Chisnall put up a clever box kick a defensive mix-up allowed Barry Lister to come through and score an unconverted try.
The only first team games on Saturday are in the Cumbria League and include: Millom v Netherhall, Moresby v Cockermouth, Workington Steelers v Whitehaven, Aspatria Eagles v BAE Barrow, Keswick v Wigton Wanderers.
