With relegation concerns a fading memory Aspatria cut loose against a depleted Consett side and provided a feast of tries in a 51-10 victory.
The warning signs for Consett came early with Aspatria taking the first scrum of the day against the head, deep in the visitor’s 22. Centre Ryan Scott used the possession to bludgeon his way over the line for the first score of the day.
Aspatria’s scrum domination provided an attacking platform which Consett were unable to counter.
The home forwards won their battle but the majority of scores came via the home back division and in particular left winger Grant Bethwaite who tormented Consett throughout the game with his astute running.
On 14 minutes, Bethwaite struck for try number two. It was a near-repeat of the first score with the Consett scrum crumbling under pressure allowing Aspatria to launch an attack down the left flank where Bethwaite finished the move for a 12-0 lead.
A third try followed minutes later but this time Bethwaite had to work hard for the score.
The flying winger came into possession around half way and seemed to have little room in which to work but his silky run sliced through would be tacklers, creating a pathway to the line and the score.
With only 17 minutes gone the end result was no longer in doubt as they led 19-0.
Into the second quarter and Consett started to come to terms with the maelstrom Aspatria had unleashed.
A penalty was earned in front of the Aspatria posts and to their credit Consett did not consider taking an easy three points, instead opting to launch a catch and drive move.
This failed and the established pattern of Aspatria attacking and Consett defending quickly resumed.
The try bonus point was earned with Aspatria’s fourth score on 30 minutes. This one was something special, starting with a penalty award near the left touchline.
Right winger Alex Barton, with great awareness, immediately took up a position hugging the opposite touchline.
Barton was spotted by scrum half Jack Clegg who seized the ball and dropped a perfect cross-field kick for the winger to pick up and sail over the line.
The half ended with a further two home tries. The first was a multi-phased attack, involving some intricate passing within the home back division but ultimately finished by number eight Stuart Creighton charging over the line with defenders unable to handle the power of his run.
Moments later it was 36:0. The scorer Euan Nicholson joined the action from the bench and was last in line when Aspatria regained possession at the kick off and launched a blistering attack that proved unstoppable.
In the second half, Aspatria could not entirely replicate the excellence on show during the first forty minutes.
This was in part due to resurgence from Consett who put in a markedly better performance to frustrate Aspatria’s attacking intent.
The half started reasonably well for the home team with the referee awarding a succession of penalties close to the try line. Aspatria scrummed down on each occasion with the inevitable result that Consett would eventually be shunted back over their line and concede a seventh try to make it 41-0.
Consett rallied and on 55 minutes, following a fluent backs move, delivered a consolation score.
This only momentarily lifted spirits as Aspatria responded from the restart with a score from back row Jamie Lightfoot.
Consett can take an element of satisfaction from the defence they mounted during the final quarter alongside the pleasure of a second try, resulting from some dogged forward play.
Fittingly, Aspatria had the final word and it was that man Bethwaite who delivered, yet again a weaving run left tired defenders attempting but failing to lay a hand on him on his glide to the line and try number number nine for the Black Reds.
