Aspatria proved too strong for West Cumbrian rivals Wigton as they ran out 18-5 winners in a hard-fought local North Lancs Cumbria League derby.

The win secures second spot for the Black Reds in the league, but they are now nine points behind league leaders St Benedicts.

Aspatria’s opening salvo did not disappointed the home crowd as they efficiently moved into Wigton’s 22 where they would spend most of the first half.

In open play the Aspatria ball carriers were excellent and flanker Matthew Atkinson, playing against his old team, headed the charge with Number 8 Gary Hodgson.

The pressure quickly told on Wigton who conceded a penalty in the third minute, which Jack Clegg kicked for a 3-0 lead.

Wigton’s defence held firm and managed to force Aspatria back each time they ventured towards the line and the home side were forced to settle for three points after another penalty in the 10th minute.

Despite their possession, Aspatria couldn’t make it count and they were then reduced to 14 men after Ian McDowell was sent to the sin-bin for an infringement in the ruck.

On 24 minutes, the game swung in Aspatria’s favour.

Wigton failed to capitalise on a lineout on the home 22 and the Black Reds made their way upfield.

There was a superb interchange between several players ending with Hodgson who was tackled a metre from the line.

Wigton cleared to halfway and Aspatria attacked again.

Flanker Phil Dixon broke the line and Hodgson was going to be stopped short but he had Andrew Miller on his shoulder who burst through a tackle to score.

Clegg converted for a 13-0 lead which the home side took into half time.

Aspatria started the second half with another assault on the Wigton line but the visiting defence held firm.

Fifteen minutes from time, the pattern of the game changed completely.

There had been no panic in the Wigton ranks and, as Aspatria’s attacks began to dissipate, they came back with a flurry.

The catalyst was an intelligent backs move which kept the ball moving from wing to win and Owen Bonny squeezed over in the line at the corner.

Charters failed with the conversion but Wigton were back in the game at 13-5.

Wigton then enjoyed their best spell of the game and it was Aspatria’s turn to defend.

The strength of Wigton’s attacks forced errors from the home side but they couldn’t capitalise.

A penalty to the corner put Wigton in a great position to reduce the arrears.

Their line-out had been scrappy throughout the game but they managed to secure the ball and moved left but, with the line begging, the ball was dislodged and Aspatria escaped.

The onslaught continued and Wigton were camped on the Aspatria line with 10 minutes to play.

Unfortunately for Mark Lee’s side, they gave up their position and were reduced to 14 men as Robert Marrs was yellow carded for illegal rucking.

With a man advantage, Aspatria reasserted themselves.

The ball was secured in midfield and Liam Ridley set off on a charge that left several defenders in his wake.

This did not lead to a score but it lifted the home side.

The killer score was a superb back line move starting 60 metres from the Wigton line. Clegg started it with a pass to Miller who was able to outflank the defence before passing to Grant Bethwaite.

The centre then had the legs to see off the defence and dive over in the corner for an 18-5 win.

Aspatria remain in second place but, a win for Bolton, who have a game in hand, will see them drop down to third and Wigton dropped down a place to seventh.