Both Aspatria and visitors West Hartlepool started their game at Bower Park in contention for a top four finish in Durham Northumberland One.
That might just secure a promotion when final details of the competition restructure are finalised.
The two clubs finished the day still in with a shout but it was Aspatria who markedly improved their prospects, grabbing a 34-14 win and taking a full five points.
The win denied Wests any reward despite a second half performance that at times threatened to completely derail Aspatria’s ambitions.
Stockton continue to occupy fourth place in the league but that position remains under threat from the three clubs below.
Of these Aspatria are best placed in fifth but are 10 points adrift. Although the Cumbrians have a game in hand, they are still relying on Stockton slipping up during the final run in.
The latest score-line might suggest a comfortable day for Aspatria but this was not the reality of the game.
Wests scrapped for every inch of territory and for sustained periods had Aspatria on the ropes only to see less than clinical finishing let them down.
Aspatria open the game with a flurry of attacks. With only four minutes gone a high tackle on hooker Adam Cavanagh delivered a penalty.
Nine times out of 10, Aspatria would have used this to set up an attacking line-out but in recognition of the importance attached to the end result opted for a shot at goal which Jack Clegg put over.
The lead was extended a few minutes later when a Wests clearance out of defence went straight into the arms of centre Joe Beaty. He ran the ball back and several players joined in an impressive assault.
It was fitting that when Alex Barton was stopped short of the line Beaty was on hand to take over and cross the line.
From the re-start Aspatria gave away a penalty as they attempted to run the ball out of the 22. It was in front of the sticks but the goal attempt was shanked and rattled off the post.
This was the first instance of Wests letting Aspatria off the hook but certainly not the last.
On 17 minutes Wests took the game to Aspatria for the start of a good spell for the visitors. They kept the pressure on aided by a rising penalty count against Aspatria. The referee’s patience must have been sorely tested but to the relief of home supporters no yellow cards were shown.
On 25 minutes West should really have been back in the game. A quickly taken penalty in the home 22 was run to the left flank where an obvious overlap existed. Why the runner did not use his spare men is a mystery and as he took contact the ball was knocked on.
Aspatria had seen off the immediate threat and on 30 minutes charged back into the game with a memorable try from the Adam Cavanagh show!
The Aspatria hooker got hands on the ball around half way and with a surprising turn of pace and power blasted through the Wests defence to within five metres of the try line where he was brought down illegally. Cavanagh quickly sized up the situation and took the quick tap over the line under a mountain of tacklers for a 17-0 lead they held until the break.
It seemed all plain sailing when, only two minutes into the second period, Clegg used a penalty to extend the lead.
However a Wests revival started with a clever restart that took Aspatria completely by surprise and allowed the visitors to regain possession with this lighting attack being finished with a try.
It did not seem a disaster but only minutes later Wests struck again and at 20-14 the panic alarms were now being sounded. It required firm resolve from Aspatria to prevent a third try.
Aspatria held out and there was a huge sense of relief on 56 minutes when the home side broke the stranglehold with an Alex Barton special.
Operating on the right wing, Barton took possession just inside the Wests half and his pace took him down the touchline before cutting infield to wrong foot the sliding defence and score under the posts.
Aspatria had recovered their composure but Wests remained in the battle.
On 63 minutes a superb 50/22 kick rewarded Wests with an attacking line-out. They did not take advantage but it was the catalyst for another strong period of play by the visitors. The Aspatria defence was tested but once again when Wests hard work had created an overlap on the left flank it was ignored.
Into the final 10 minutes and whilst an Aspatria victory looked secure they were still missing a vital fourth try to secure a much needed bonus point.
It was now end to end stuff with Wests trying everything they knew to get a score that might just deliver a precious losing bonus point. Both teams can close to their objective but the clock was now the enemy.
Down to the last play of the game. Aspatria on the attack but knowing the next breakdown would end the contest.
The Black Reds treated the ball as a precious object as they inched towards the line. A couple of darts by the forwards were stopped short and the ball slung out left and into the hands of Josh Watson.
Only six metres out but Watson still had a plenty to do to accelerate around and past the final defender to deliver a much valued five points.
