With a clinical performance Northern extended their winning streak to eight games with a hard-fought 26-10 victory at Bower Park.
Aspatria matched the league’s form side in just about every aspect of the game except one – and that was finishing try-scoring opportunities.
When they appeared Aspatria made errors whereas, in similar situations, Northern’s ball retention was near-perfect.
When the whistle blew for full time, Northern had secured a full five points and Aspatria, regardless of their efforts, were left empty handed.
Northern remain third in the Regional 2 North League but despite the win at Bower Park remain too far adrift of league leaders, Penrith to mount a realistic challenge.
Aspatria stay 7th and it now looks unlikely that they can be dragged back into the contest to avoid the two relegation places.
The highlight for Northern in the first quarter of the game came after only two minutes when they attempted to get on the scoreboard with a penalty attempt.
This missed and Aspatria began to deliver one of the best spells of rugby seen this season. The home scrummage quickly secured dominance and it was play from this platform that led to a series of dangerous looking attacks from the Black Reds.
After ten minutes centre Joe Beaty came into possession in the home 22 and raced upfield to switch action deep into Northern territory. This passage of play broke down due to an unforced error by Aspatria, something that would happen on several occasions during the course of the game.
On 15 minutes, however, left winger Grant Bethwaite scored a stunning try for Aspatria. The initial break hugged the touchline and in the build-up involved some slick inter passing by the home side.
Bethwaite had work to do when he came into possession around the 22 but his skill to wrong foot tacklers and break contact was simply sublime.
With the 5-0 lead Aspatria were looking strong entering the second quarter of the game but it was around this point that the home side began to concede too many penalties. Initially, these indiscretions hampered Aspatria to push home their early advantage, then the experience of Northern showed, as they used the boot to build attacking positions.
When close to the Aspatria line the ball control of Northern was excellent and eventually a maul paid dividends with a converted try to wrench the lead away from Aspatria.
After 30 minutes Aspatria thought they were about to regain the lead. Another slick move by the home back division put stand-off Josh Watson into clear space with the try line seemingly at his mercy.
The whistle blew as the referee had noticed an Aspatria player lying prone on the ground and for safety reasons had no option but to halt play. It was harsh on Aspatria, perhaps, but undeniably the correct decision.
Aspatria continued to attack but the defence offered up by Northern was solid. With the penalty count against the Black Reds not improving it was no surprise when Northern again went down field on the back of these.
Well controlled forward play by the visitors delivered a second try and enabled them to end the half 14-5 to the good.
The opening of the second half demonstrated why Northern are such a formidable side. They controlled the ball and exercised a period of ball retention that wore Aspatria down, inch by inch.
The passing was precise and the try when it came after seven minutes had an inevitable feel about it.
Minutes later Northern struck again, taking full advantage of Aspatria’s defence in disarray to post a bonus point try. It might have seemed job done for the visitors as following the score, overall play again became an even contest.
Aspatria certainly had their moments as time ticked by. A couple of half chances were missed by the home side leading up to a pivotal moment on 67 minutes when Bethwaite again left defenders trailing in his wake as he raced towards the posts. Somehow, a couple of yards from try line, the final off-load to put Aspatria back in the game never came.
It was disappointing for Aspatria but they were not about to let up and began to push Northern back into their half.
On 72 minutes the pressure paid off. A tremendous run from full-back Owen Hoyles started the move. He cut through defenders and this time the offload was perfect as Zak Olstrum roared onto the ball and over the line for their second unconverted try.
Aspatria continued to push for further scores but were unable to make any further dents in a well organised Northern defence.
