The Strawberry How clubhouse was bouncing on Saturday after Cockermouth had earned their first win North Two West.
The Wasps beat Southport 21-7 and although still bottom are level on points with Bolton
For the second game this season they had got off to the perfect start with a converted try from Ed Gate after a brilliant line break from John Irving on the half-way line.
For the rest of the half they managed the game really well, dominated defence with the visitors not threatening the try line and through an impressive back kept the pressure on.
Gate was able to extend the lead to 16-0 at half time with three penalty goals.
In the second half the Cockermouth pack continued to be excellent in the scrums but the third quarter of the game wasn’t a good one for them.
They made lots of mistakes and took wrong decisions, in attack but fortunately the defence remained aggressive and with huge work rates across the squad managed to restrict visitors to seven points, courtesy of a driving maul try.
At 16-7 the next points were crucial and to the delight of the Strawberry How faithful a good kick from Gate was well chased and turn over ball was gained which allowed Harry Oates to make a speedy and powerful run down the left flank for the clinching try.
Man of match award was actually shared between the centre partnership of Liam McAvoy and John Irving, who were outstanding in attack and defence.
Coach Chris Wright said: “The players have really dug in after a tough start to the season and will continue to work hard as we go on the road to Tarleton next week.
“We still hade nine players missing on Saturday against a Southport side who were four wins from five games before coming up here.
“But the lads put in a great shift at training during the week and have got their rewards.”
Wright has also been explaining why Cockermouth declined their invitation to take part in this season’s Cumbria Cup.
He said: “We were very disappointed to pull out of the Cup but at the time the first round was supposed to be last Saturday. We didn’t have the players to be involved because of so many injuries and a free week-end was desperately needed.
“Our players got to the Cumbria Vase final in 2019 and definitely hope to experience this again.
“We hope to get through this season intact, keep the squad, learn from this new level of rugby and certainly support the Cumbria Cup.”
