Aspatria shared the spoils in a 12-12 draw at South Shields Westoe – a much different outcome than the home game in October.
At Bower Park, Aspatria had laid waste to Westoe with a 10 try haul which steered them to a 63-7 victory.
Since then Westoe have come to terms with the harsh demands of the Regional 2 North league and have given themselves every chance of avoiding relegation. Aspatria took a strong looking side over to the North East but not one of the travellers was expecting an easy ride and so it proved.
Underfoot playing conditions were poor throughout and a swirling wind caused all sorts of problems for the kickers. Both teams had periods of dominance within the game and in a closing period full of drama, it was fitting that each achieved a game winning opportunity.
Both failed and at the final whistle the sides accepted they had two hard earned league points in the bag which may prove vital as the last third of the season unfolds.
Aspatria played second fiddle, in the first half, to a highly motivated Westoe side, who since the October game seem to have grown a forward pack inhabited by giants. It could not have been much worse for Aspatria, playing up the slope, into a stiff, swirling wind and crucially denied any meaningful possession.
After going close a couple of times Westoe took a deserved 7-0 lead on 10 minutes when several well controlled phases of rucking on the Aspatria line paid dividends. At the time, everything pointed to this advantage being extended. Aspatria’s time in Westoe territory was severely limited but exceptional defence was enough to keep them in the contest.
Aspatria conceded far too many penalties under pressure from Westoe and were warned by the referee as the game entered the second quarter.
Minutes later, Aspatria were lucky not to lose a player as yet another penalty was awarded against them. Westoe called a five metre scrum and from this a simple dart from the back row was enough to push the home lead out to 12-0.
It took until the 28th minute for Aspatria to launch an attack that looked likely to deliver a try. Westoe lost a man for deliberately preventing a quick tap and go in the home 22 but Aspatria could not deliver on the opportunity and it was soon back to Westoe hammering away looking for a 3rd try.
Aspatria’s tight defence was asked to operate at full capacity and they did so as Westoe turned the screw. The visitors had to endure phase after phase of attack. They lost Greg Dickinson to a yellow card but still they held. Turning round only 12-0 at half time felt like a victory of sorts and Westoe must have wondered why the game was still in the balance.
Conditions favoured Aspatria in the second half and from the first whistle they set about Westoe with renewed vigour.
It was now Westoe’s turn to engage in desperate defence. With nine minutes played that defence proved too desperate. Aspatria had numbers in the back line and a try was certain when the remaining Westoe defender slapped down the final pass. The referee issued a yellow card and had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try to close the gap to 12-7.
The Aspatria onslaught continued. On 59 minutes what appeared a harmless kick into the home half paid an unexpected dividend.
The home fullback wanted too much time to play the ball rather than get rid immediately. Aspatria scrum half, Jack Clegg raced through to trap man and ball and in a futile attempt to get rid, the ball only found the arms of stand-off Josh Watson who had an easy gallop to the line. Clegg had the conversion to take the lead but in the swirling wind his attempt smashed into the post and Aspatria had to settle for level- pegging at 12 all.
Into the final quarter and Westoe threw everything into securing victory. The home side huffed and puffed but despite some good field position were unable to break down the Aspatria defence and it began to look more likely that Aspatria would break the deadlock.
A turning point of sorts occurred on 70 minutes when Aspatria lost Clegg to a head injury. His absence would prove vital as the minutes ticked down.
With six minutes left to play, Westoe were handed a lifeline. A penalty awarded was really too far out for a goal attempt but Aspatria decided to debate with the referee and conceded another 10 yards to put the home kicker in range. It was a tense moment but to Aspatria’s relief the ball flew just wide of the posts.
The final minutes were hard to watch for Aspatria supporters as Westoe continued to press but with only two minutes left the situation turned on its head.
The Black Reds pack rampaged down field and a penalty forced by them gained position close to the try line. Scrums were set and penalties awarded but probably just a touch too far from the line for the referee to consider a second penalty try.
With the final act of the game Aspatria decided to gamble on a kick at goal to snatch victory. It was not any great distance but with regular goal kicker Clegg off the field the unenviable task was handed to Owen Hoyles whose shot went wide to leave the result a draw that was overall a fair result.
