Aspatria suffered a setback in their North Lancs/Cumbria League campaign when they lost 27-18 at home to Bolton.

After Jack Clegg had kicked an early penalty for the Black Reds, the visitors got in front from a penalty try after being stopped illegally from a five metre scrum. A penalty was added soon afterwards.

Clegg kicked his second penalty for Aspatria but the home side then had fly-half Tony Nicholson sent to the bin for over aggressive rucking.

But the Black Reds hit back with a well-taken try by Andrew Miller after a terrific break from Tom Gardner had been well supported by Graeme Andrews. Clegg converted.

Before the break, however, Bolton went back in front when a forward break was well backed up and they scored a converted try.

Aspatria’s worst nightmare followed the break when they quickly conceded 10 points from a converted try and penalty to virtually hand the game to Bolton.

They did repair some of the damage with an unconverted try from James Ravell and, although they had plenty of pressure in the closing stages, couldn’t get over again.

Silloth suffered their first defeat when they went down 33-3 at Tyldesley.

The fact that the Seasiders had nine players unavailable meant they had to field a much-changed side.

It had been encouraging for half-an-hour when a Ricky Sutliffe penalty enabled the Cumbrians to share parity at 3-3.

But three successive yellow cards ended any momentum Silloth had and by the time they got back into the game it was over. All nine will be available this weekend for the game with Oldham.

Meanwhile in the Cumbria league, Keswick continued their 100 per cent start to the season thanks to a 51-24 victory away at Penrith A XV.

Cockermouth have yet to pick up a win after losing 31-17 away at Moresby.

Fixtures 

Cumbria: Cockermouth v Wigton Wanderers, Keswick v Kendal 2nd XV, Workington v Moresby.

North Lancs/Cumbria: Ashton-Under-Lyne v Aspatria, Silloth v Oldham.