Another Saturday of wild weather served up a quagmire at Bower Park but the wind and rain also delivered thrills and spills galore in a highly entertaining game.
In the process of a 43-8 victory, Aspatria crossed the line on seven occasions whilst limiting visitors Novos to a single try.
Despite this disparity on the scoreboard, the visitors from the North East played a hard game, which at times became fractious.
The five-point haul puts Aspatria fifth in Durham Northumberland One but still trailing fourth-placed Westoe by 11 points.
With plenty of rugby still to play Aspatria can certainly think of overtaking Westoe and challenge for a top-four finish if they can maintain the form on show in the defeat of Novos.
Aspatria made a positive start to the game but with nine minutes played Novos were first to strike. A series of penalties handed them a five-metre line-out.
This did not go well but Aspatria botched the escape and ill-discipline gave away a penalty in front of the posts which was possibly the only place on the field where the gusting wind would permit a successful kick.
Although behind, but generally on top, it seemed only a matter of time before Aspatria would deliver a score.
It came after 14 minutes following a sustained period of pressure. A scum awarded seven metres out was soon heading backwards, providing a perfect platform for number eight Matthew Atkinson to launch a scoring attack close into the posts. Jack Clegg converted.
Novos should have struck back from the restart when Aspatria conceded another penalty in front of the posts but the attempt was inches wide.
As the game progressed Aspatria began to dominate the set scrummage and it was this advantage that delivered try number two.
Novos had worked hard to contain Aspatria but on 28 minutes their scrum was marched back two metres, resulting in the defensive line back-pedalling.
Aspatria’s impressive back division seized on the opportunity and with space moved the ball the width of the pitch where Joe Beaty had a clear run in to score.
A third try followed. Aspatria started this attack from around their 22 with the ball secured after another solid scrum.
The precise movement of the ball in such difficult conditions was sublime. The move involved both backs and forwards and inevitably Novos ran out of defenders leaving left winger Ross Barton in the clear and heading to the corner flag to dot down.
At half-time 17-3 was not yet a winning score but in the deteriorating conditions, it looked a long road back for Novos if they were to get something out of the game.
Following the resumption, it took only a few minutes for Aspatria to seal the result. Second rower Chris Graham was over the line but the referee was unsighted and deemed the ball held up.
A five-metre scrum was set, probably the last thing Novos wanted and with good reason as they found reverse gear going back to the try line where Atkinson picked up and proved unstoppable to earn the bonus point.
Understandably, given the work rate of both sides, the game moved into a period of stalemate with the play concentrated around the centre of the field.
The final quarter started with a player from both sides being despatched to the bin. It was a good move by the referee who probably recognised that an element of frustration and niggle was creeping into proceedings.
Aspatria take advantage
With things cooled down Aspatria took advantage of a tiring defence.
Try number five followed some good work by Luke Jackson who had joined the action from the bench.
Jackson’s effort were not rewarded with a score but it put Aspatria on the try line where right winger Jack Wilson crossed for his first try in Black Red colours on his starting debut.
Soon afterwards the Novo defence had no answer to a charging Andrew Miller coming fresh off the bench. Miller made the hard yards through some flailing tackles before popping a pass to Alex Barton who sailed under the posts.
No one at Bower Park would begrudge Novos a try for their defensive effort and it came with eight minutes of playing time remaining.
Dogged forward play close to the Aspatria line finally paid off to bring that deserved score.
However, it was Aspatria who would have the last word in the dying minutes when Ross Barton had an easy run in against a static defence that yearned for the final whistle and a hot shower.
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