Aspatria warmed up for Saturday’s opening friendly against Kendal by playing in Tynedale’s annual sevens tournament.
With a long list of players missing through rugby league commitments and holidays, the squad was made up of plenty of experience, but not so much pace which is much needed in sevens rugby.
They were involved in the first game and not surprisingly were slow in getting going, against a select Barbarians side and falling to defeat by five tries to two.
The second game was against Ponteland, who will be playing in this year’s Division One North and having now acclimatised to the competition were able to run out 31-5 winners, playing some good rugby.
The final game was against Newcastle University who pipped the Black Reds by six tries to four in a very entertaining game.
All in all, it was a worthy run out before the more serious friendlies in the coming weeks. Player of the day was Phil Dixon who scored three tries.
Meanwhile, the Black Reds have a new physio this season, Tash (Natasha) Barnes who grew up in Oughterside, which is just outside Aspatria. She also works at the West Cumberland Hospital and with Workington Town rugby league club.
Club secretary Barney Clegg said: “Tash is excited to have the opportunity to put something back into her local team using her professional abilities as a physiotherapist. Many will remember Tash from her time served on our bar staff whilst she was studying.
“The club would like to place on record their thanks and best wishes to her predecessor Danielle Scott who joined the club a couple of years ago whilst studying at University of Cumbria. Her work has now taken her back to Lancashire.
“She instantly became part of the team, jumping in feet first and her family would often join her on away days from their native Blackpool to enjoy a day out.
“Danielle would often get the train back to Carlisle from Penrith on a Saturday night which meant the bus had to detour into Penrith for a pub stop, which was always gratefully welcomed.”
