In awful weather conditions Aspatria got the better of local rivals Keswick by 11-5 in Regional 2 North.
It was definitely not one for the neutral spectator to enthuse over, yet not a single supporter of either club left early because of what was at stake.
The game was played in difficult conditions with the wind blowing diagonally across the pitch making handling and control more difficult.
Each side need the points from a win to enhance their chances of survival in the North 2 Regional league.
The contest went right down to the final seconds with Aspatria holding on for the win in the face of a final flurry of Keswick attacks that threatened to stand the result on its head.
Carlisle and Stockton currently occupy the two relegation places. The win enabled Aspatria to maintain a 13-point gap over these bottom clubs and two more wins should see the Black Reds safe for another season.
Keswick remain third from bottom and worryingly the single losing bonus point earned at Aspatria is the slim margin separating them from an improving Stockton.
Aspatria were first out of the blocks with a Jack Clegg penalty providing a 3-0 lead with only two minutes on the clock.
On eight minutes Keswick spurned a similar penalty opportunity to set up a catch and drive move deep in the home 22. The line-out was a failure with the conditions giving nil assistance and ample hinderance.
Keswick would use this ploy twice more in the course of the first half and each time fail.
Play was generally even in the first quarter with the sides looking well matched. It was gritty but less than enthralling rugby with occasional outbursts of temper providing light relief.
Clegg extended the lead to 6-0 on 24 minutes with another well struck penalty and as the half progressed, Aspatria began to gain the upper hand, achieving a greater share of possession, very often in good field position.
Most of this positive play was the result of some excellent attacking runs from No8 Greg Dickinson who had an outstanding game.
However, with only a few minutes of the half remaining it all went wrong for Aspatria.
A promising attack by the home back division was broken up by a smart interception from Harry Vaillant who made good ground before releasing Chris Potter who went 60 yards to score in the corner.
It left Aspatria with a 6-5 lead at the break so nothing much between the teams as the second half began.
The atrititonal nature of the game showed no signs of changing as the minutes ticked by.
Keswick began to achieve more possession and their pacey backs looked dangerous but most of the attacks were starting in their half and Aspatria had ample time to organise effective resistance.
On 60 minutes Aspatria centre Ryan Scott finally opened up the Keswick defence. Scott did the hard yards down the right flank sucking in defenders.
Scott’s work left Keswick short of defenders and when the ball was zipped across field to winger Euan Nicholson he darted in at the left corner.
Into the final quarter, Keswick still looked capable of overturning the Aspatria lead. As the minutes ticked by the threat increased with play generally moving into the home half.
The defence was solid but as the final whistle approached it was tested to the limit by a relentless Keswick offensive. The visitors went close to a score, at times only inches preventing them taking the points.
It was a great effort from Keswick but in the final analysis the Aspatria defence was simply too good and this delivered a much needed victory.
