Tight at top after weekend win for Aspatria

The grim weather conditions in south Cumbria proved an ideal partner for Aspatria’ grinding performance which eventually wore their opponents down as they picked up a bonus point.

Aspatria started the game with the wind and rain lashing their faces yet their opening salvo was by far their best period of the game.

Mocking the conditions, handling was precise and executed with pace.

The intial attacks had Upper Eden on the ropes and, within three minutes, a slick interchange in the backs put the pack on the line and second rower Liam Ridley went over for a 5-0 lead. Jack Clegg’s conversion attempt stood little chance against the wind.

In this impressive opening spell further scores might have followed but for a fine defensive effort from Upper Eden who were using the conditions to clear their lines.

It was a tale of two clearing kicks that brought Upper Eden back into the game.

One from their own half on 13 minutes put them deep down field, Aspatria contained the threat but a hurried clearance kick was charged down leaving the try line open and a the score at 5-5.

On 19 minutes, Aspatria full-lee back Tinnion took a high clearing kick deep in his own half and managed to make 60 metres with a break.

But Upper Eden managed to regain the ball and cleared up field, winning a penalty during the ensuing line-out which put them 8-5.

The west Cumbrians immediately got back into their stride. They could have levelled the scores with a penalty in front of the sticks, but captain Andrew Miller instructed Clegg to kick for the corner.

The gamble paid off as the catch and drive helped move the ball infield.

Matthew Atkinson in possession waited for his moment and broke left to crash over the line.

Clegg missed with the conversion but Aspatria had a 10-8 lead.

A penalty on the stroke of half-time gave Upper Eden an 11-10 advantage.

It took 15 minutes in the second half for the next points to be scored but Aspatria took the lead after some neat work from the backs.

A clearance kick failed to find its intended target and was fielded by Gary Hodgson on the touchline.

He set off on a run upfield that took him back to the home 22.

On his shoulder ran Liam Ridley who took the ball almost to the try line before unloading to Tinnion who put himself in position to dot down in the corner.

Clegg’s conversion split the uprights and Aspatria led 17-11.

Aspatria were lifted by Tinnion’s score and within a minute of the restart they went further ahead as Clegg kicked a long-range penalty.

With the Black Reds chasing a bonus point try Mark Lister came close after running down the line only to be stopped by a fine cover tackle.

However, he managed to pop the ball straight into the hands of Miller who flew into the corner for the crucial try.

Clegg added the extras for a 27-11 final score.

St Benedict’s remain at the top of the league after their 31-6 bonus point win over Cumbrian rivals Wigton. The result is Saints’ fourth win in a row and consigned Wigton to their first defeat in three games.

Despite their defeat, Wigton are still in sixth in the league table.

Silloth picked up a much-needed 38-14 win in their derby clash with Whitehaven.

The Tigers were on a run of six defeats but managed to put a stop to Whitehaven’s winning run as their opponents had won their previous three games. Silloth remain in 10th place in the league but have opened up a five point gap over Upper Eden in 11th.

Meanwhile, just three points separate the top four in Cumbria League as Workington leapfrogged Furness at the top of the table.

Workington picked up a 51-5 win over bottom side Creighton to overtake Furness who drew 19-19 at home to Kendal 2nd XV.

Keswick in third place beat Cockermouth 10-0 and fourth-placed Egremont picked up a 36-19 win away to Windermere who sit in fifth place, just six points behind new league leaders Workington.

In the league’s other fixture this weekend, Moresby beat Carlisle Crusaders 21-12 to move to mid-table.