Aspatria’s first away points of the season lifted them clear of the Regional Two North relegation zone.
It also enhanced a growing feeling within the team that a top half finish is not beyond them.
The 23-16 win at Consett owed much to a superb defensive effort throughout the contest.
Consett, worked hard to secure a clear advantage in terms of field position and overall possession but simply could not break down the wall of bodies erected by Aspatria.
That is, until the final few minutes of the game when Aspatria had to endure a valiant effort by the hosts that on another day might have delivered a home victory.
Aspatria adopted a pragmatic approach throughout the game. Gone were thoughts of expansive rugby and in its place came a controlled kicking game that consistently kept Consett at arm’s length.
Playing into a stiff breeze Aspatria were first on the scoreboard. A fine break by centre Guy Reed from around half way saw him dragged down around the 22, which resulted in a penalty.
Aspatria’s usual tactic would be to go to the corner in search of a try. Not on this occasion, there was no debate as stand-off Jack Clegg pointed to the posts and delivered three points.
On the ten minute mark a fluid move from 22 to 22 swept Consett deep into Aspatria territory. They were rewarded by a kickable penalty but unlike Aspatria the home team went for the corner to mount a catch and drive move. The maul to the line failed but it was the start of a sustained period of pressure.
Aspatria’s defence held but they found it increasingly difficult to exit their half.
With 18 minutes gone Consett seemed to tire of battering against the Aspatria defence and resigned to drawing level with a penalty.
The mounting threat posed by Consett was evident to all those watching. Frustratingly for those cheering the home side, a way through Aspatria proved elusive and when a penalty was used on 26 minutes, to at least take a 6-3 lead, it resembled a failure.
In the final ten minutes of the half Aspatria added to the despair of the home faithful. On 31 minutes Clegg levelled the scores with a well struck penalty and with only a handful of minutes left in the half the game turned on its head.
Aspatria took full advantage of a botched home line-out to take over possession in the home 22.
Scrum ball was well presented to the back division who opted for a move down the narrow side. Inside centre Ryan Scott did all the damage on a rampage to the line and with bodies all around him had the skill to pop the ball out to backrow Jamie Lightfoot who finished the move.
Clegg’s conversion was good and enabled Aspatria to carry a 6:13 advantage into the second half.
Unfortunately, with the whistle near to blowing, Greg Dickinson delayed Consett’s efforts to take a quick tap penalty and was yellow carded.
The general pattern of the game resumed in the second period. Consett took up position in the Aspatria half.
In the early exchanges close to the try line it took some last ditch tackles to deny Consett the final few inches they needed to register a try.
It was an anxious time for the Black Reds and after surviving a full eight or so minutes of attack they were mightily relieved when a towering kick out of defence by Clegg sailed down field.
This turned into a disaster for Consett as the fullback failed to field the ball and Reed was on him like a hungry lion, grabbing the ball and roaring towards the posts.
The Aspatria centre had plenty of attention as defenders raced back, attempting to haul down the Aspatria man but Reed would not be stopped and momentum took him home.
At 6-20 Aspatria now looked to have some control over the game and this hold was further improved on 55 minutes when another defensive error by Consett provided Clegg with a penalty attempt which he duly despatched.
Consett still had time in hand to claw back the 6-23 score line. The fight in the home side was obvious but despite all their time on the ball in the Aspatria half they looked no closer to breaking down the black and red wall.
How close they came at times could be measured in inches and at times the Aspatria defence was over enthusiastic with penalties being awarded against them. Unfortunately, the time had passed for Consett to use these and narrow the 17 point gap.
In the fight to hold Consett, Aspatria lost prop Jack Gaskell to a yellow card.
The game reached the final 10 minutes with Aspatria surviving the home onslaught.
On 72 minutes a Consett attack finally outnumbered Aspatria’s defence and resulted in a try. Aspatria were relieved that the conversion was missed to leave them still holding a 12-point advantage.
These were nervous times for Aspatria. Consett must have smelled blood in the water as they rampaged back to the try line.
A further try was scored but again the conversion missed. There was a minute remaining, time to restart.
Consett could no longer win the game but they were within a single score of achieving a draw.
Aspatria defended Consett’s final push, the danger was obvious and there was much relief when some ferocious counter defence turned the ball over and delivered a victory, won the hard way.
