Aspatria hit the top of the North Lancs/Cumbria

Patrick Noutch, Josh Watson and Fraser McNee have provided a welcome dash of young blood for an Aspatria side which just missed out on a promotion play-off place last season.

“It’s been great to see these youngsters coming into the side and proving their capabilities. It augers well for the future,” said secretary Barney Clegg.

Winger Noutch is really the find of the season, virtually coming from nowhere to provide a real threat. He has already scored eight tries in six senior starts.

“Patrick had played a bit of rugby at school and, as a local lad, started playing for our Eagles second team last season. People were impressed with his pace and his ability to go round players and he has taken his first-team chance this season,” said Clegg.

McNee, from Beckermet, had played as a youngster with Egremont Rugby Union club but more recently has been involved with the town’s rugby league team.

“We didn’t get him until the rugby league season finished and then he came with a mate, just turning up one night. He’s another small, but quick player who has looked good in the centre for us,” said Clegg.

McNee has four tries in eight games.

The third of the youngsters is stand-off Josh Watson, a Cockermouth lad who was a member of Newcastle Falcons’ youth set-up before being released.

His father watched Aspatria play and son young Josh was training with the Black Reds.

“He got a couple of games at the back end of last season and has come into his own this time round. He scored two tries on Saturday, one of them a brilliant individual effort in which he beat loads of Eccles players,” said Clegg.

Having reached the top – as Keswick’s game at Bolton was postponed – Aspatria hope to stay there, especially as they have a tasty game with Keswick at Bower Park a week tomorrow.

“I can’t remember anyone coming up from the Cumbria League and going straight to the top of North Lancs/Cumbria. They have done exceptionally well and it is a credit to them," said Clegg.

“We get on extremely well with the Keswick club so I am sure they are looking forward to December 9 just as much as we are."

First things first, and as far as Aspatria are concerned, that means a trip to Fleetwood a team who have had mixed results so far this season.

Keswick will be keen to get back in action after last week’s postponement and they entertain Trafford MV, who beat Fleetwood 34-29 last week.

Wigton, currently sixth in the table a point behind Trafford, have another home game tomorrow against Bolton.

In North One/West, St. Benedict’s hope to get back into action after another postponement last week.

It wasn’t a home fixture which was lost, however, but a game at Northwich.

Tomorrow, they are at home to Burnage, a side in a solid mid-table berth, some 24 points clear of Saints who are seven points adrift at the bottom.

Last week, they lost 17-15 at home to Wilmslow.