Cockermouth experienced a really hard day at the office when they were heavily beaten by the North Two West unbeaten leaders.
Anselmians have swept all before them without being severely tested and this 76-7 home win was their 13th success in as many matches, with a massive plus 520 points.
Cockermouth coach Chris Wright was philosophical, declaring: “What we knew would be the toughest challenge of the season certainly was, but as always the players gave everything.
“Clubs who are progressing always need games like this to help players set bigger asks of themselves in the future and we know this group of Wasps will do.”
Wright had wanted to get this game out of the way ands come home with no injuries but unfortunately the second half turned-out to be a nightmare.
At regular intervals injuries occurred to Ryan Hetherington, Sam Wilson, Johnny Creighton and Will Gate, while Ed Gate battled through with a neck injury.
“We will no re-group, hope the injuries are quick fixes and we look forward to getting back up to focus on the next tough job at home to St. Benedict’s on Saturday.
In the game on the Wirral it had stayed 0-0 until almost the end of the first quarter when the hosts showed their power up front before switching the ball out to the left wing for the first try.
Although Wilson, Adam Brough, Ben Irving and Harry Oates were carrying well the Wasps weren’t efficient enough in the second 20 minute period. Fast ball and space were just not occurring.
The home side scored a second try under the posts on 25 minutes after the right head prop had ran a great line.
To make the game harder at this point, with the hosts in ascendancy, a number of refereeing decisions seemed to be going against Cockeermouth.
Sam Thompson was harshly pinged after a great turn-over and from the resulting line-out a number of knock-ons were missed. A penalty was given and quickly taken by the home side, which lewd to the final score of the half.
The half did end with an up-lifting moment from young Ben Irving when he spectacularly stopped the Anselmians big second row as he homed in on the try line.
The second-half was very one-sided but Wasps did manage one try from the best line break of the game by Brough and Ed Gate used fast ball to put winger Dan Fielden in at the corner.
Showing great spirit in adversity the Cumbrians battled to the end although the refereeing continued to be with the dominant home team. With only 13 fit players left on the field the yellow cards to Irving and Oates were deemed very harsh.
