Aspatria beat Cockermouth 41-12 in the Cumbria Division One League Cup but, due to other clubs withdrawing, both will progress to the semi-final.

The game might have been slightly more important to Aspatria as they suffered an opening-day defeat at the hands of Cockermouth and had one eye on some retribution.

Of more importance to both clubs was giving valuable game time to a number of younger players.

Aspatria also took the opportunity to introduce for the first time this season Chris Phillips and Craig Halligan, both experienced forwards and welcome additions to the Black Reds squad.

Phillips is living in the area but has just found time to start playing while Halligan, the former St. Benedict’s forward, has also moved near the town.

Both players made impressive starts and had an influence as the Black Reds had established a 17-0 lead by half-time with tries from Matthew Atkinson and Grant Bethwaite, both converted by Jack Clegg.

Clegg also added a penalty.

A couple of minutes into the second half, Aspatria scored a third try by full-back Ken Bowes.

But Cockermouth were not done yet and they came back into the contest with two tries, one of which was converted by their man of the match, Ed Gate.

At 22-12, there was a hint of a serious challenge to the home side, who couldn't afford to grow complacent and think the job was done, but on 67 minutes Aspatria ended any hopes of a revival.

Again, Patrick Noutch gave a strong helping hand for Bethwaite to finish off in style, bursting through a hole in the Cockermouth defence for the try.

After that score, Cockermouth could not respond and during the final few minutes of the game, Aspatria ran in a further two tries from Atkinson and young prop Jack McCoubrey.