Two weeks ago at Bower Park, Aspatria despatched Stockton with plenty to spare and greatly improve their own chances of surviving a tough first season in the Regional 2 North League.
But they had to work hard on Teesside to complete the double with a 37-17 victory.
It was clear from the team sheet that in the 14 days since that fixture Stockton have been able to bring back several influential players into their starting line-up.
This was going to be a much different challenge for Aspatria. The beefed up Stockton side proved difficult to break down and remained in contention for a victory well into the final quarter. Only a late push from Aspatria, delivering three tries in quick order, broke Stockton’s resolve.
For Aspatria it was job done. A full five points earned, creating a 13 point safety margin between Aspatria and the relegation places. It is still too early to say that the Black Reds are safe but this victory was a big step towards that objective.
In an unfamiliar blue and white hooped change kit, Aspatria generated a positive start to the game. They achieved early dominance in the set scrum, something that would continue to pay dividends throughout the game and the back division looked sharp in possession.
Only seven minutes had been played when the centre partnership of Ryan Scott and Joe Beaty ripped through the opposition to put right wing, Zak Olstrum in at the corner flag for an unconverted try.
The early momentum did not last. On 12 minutes Stockton were back level. The try that the home side posted took full advantage of Aspatria’s failure to effectively clear out of defence, not once but on three occasions.
Stockton lost a man to a yellow card for an illegal tackle and this spurred Aspatria on to regain some control of the game.
Penalties conceded were costing Stockton valuable territory and on 23 minutes Aspatria took advantage with an attack down the left flank where Ryan Scott forced himself between a host of would-be tacklers to dot down.
Stockton responded with a dominant period of play and went close to a score on several occasions. It was good rugby from the home side and on 36 minutes they were finally rewarded when a forwards charge to the line finally broke Aspatria open.
Stockton, holding a 12-10 lead, looked a match for Aspatria but on the very stroke of half time the Black Reds struck back.
Excellent work by Scott took the ball down the right flank but it still took an amazing diving finish at the corner flag by Grant Bethwaite to earn a 12-17 lead to take into the second half.
Stockton started the second half with a strong passage of play close to the Aspatria line. It was only desperate defence that kept the home side out. In doing so Aspatria caused a good deal of frustration amongst home players and with only seven minutes of the half played the referee had no option but to award a red card for a dangerous ruck clear out.
Stockton were down to 14 men but they still had Aspatria pressed into the 22. When the ball was finally hoofed out of defence it bounced into the hands of home fullback Jonny Horner who from halfway started a run that took him through the entire Aspatria defence and over the line. It was poor defending by Aspatria but a try to remember for Horner; drawing the scores level at 17-17.
As the minutes ticked by Aspatria began to re-establish a grip on the game. Around the 58 minute mark they took the sensible decision to use a long range penalty from Jack Clegg to regain a narrow and at this stage the end result was still very much up for grabs.
As time wore on Aspatria’s powerful scrummaging became a key weapon as fatigue was setting in for Stockton. On 65 minutes the dam burst.
Another fine backline combination delivered the goods. Stand-off Josh Watson was important in the early stages of the move, his work was taken over by Scott and then Bethwaite who delivered his second of the day.
The result was put to bed on 71 minutes when a penalty scrum five metres from the Stockton line was only ever going to have one conclusion. The march to, and over, the line was swift, allowing number eight Stuart Creighton to fall on the ball.
The Aspatria pack was at it again with near enough the final play of the game. This time they won the ball around the 22 and set up a short side move to the line that was finished by Beaty to end the game.
Full-back Guy Read would later be named man of the match, a well-deserved accolade for an outstanding performance both in attack and defence.
