Aspatria played their second successive derby in Regional 2 North and again finished on top, this time with a bit more in hand to beat Keswick 35-17.
Yet the opening salvo launched by Keswick to open the contest was met with disbelief by Aspatria supporters. With less than five minutes on the clock, Keswick has established an 11-0 lead and looked fully capable of adding to this.
The early carnage started when Keswick kicked off and Aspatria failed to control the ball, in the process conceding a penalty which was confidently converted by Keswick stand-off – Kieran Mewse.
From the resultant restart Keswick gained possession within a few minutes and Mewse, reading the situation brilliantly, judged a cross kick perfectly to put flying winger Ryan Weir in for a well taken try.
The scoreboard quickly moved further to Keswick’s advantage when another penalty conceded by Aspatria was successfully converted by Mewse.
Some serious words were said among the Aspatria players and this produced a response.
Much has been said already this season about the Aspatria set scrum. It is undeniably powerful and Keswick soon felt the full force as Aspatria moved upfield earning a scrum five metres out from the line.
The home pack simply marched their opponents back over the line allowing number eight Matthew Atkinson to dot down. Jack Clegg converted and Aspatria were back in the game.
Keswick remained combative and put several phases of play together, culminating in fast ball through the Keswick backs feeding Ryan Weir. He created space with his brand of power and speed, to cut through the Aspatria defence only to be stopped just short of the try line with a last-ditch tackle.
The Keswick support arrived immediately and the resultant drive saw Jamie McKenzie appear to go over the line for a try, but the referee adjudged the ball to have been held up.
But Aspatria started to launch the more dangerous attacks, benefitting in terms of field position from some excellent field kicks by young fullback Matthew Irving. This helped play to generally move into the Keswick half.
On 17 minutes a promising attack was halted illegally by Keswick and from the subsequent penalty, Clegg brought the score back to 10-11.
Aspatria looked likely to increase their points tally, but several good opportunities floundered due to handling errors. In mitigation, the ball was like a bar of soap as the rain continued to pelt down.
Kewick then had a spell in which Mewse was able to land another penalty but before the break Aspatria again pressed and forced a penalty. With the clock in the red Clegg took the three points on offer to end the first 40 minutes at 13-14.
With only a couple of minutes of the second half gone Clegg’s third penalty of the day edged Aspatria into the lead for the first time.
At the 53 minute mark Aspatria were again deep in the Keswick 22 and the visitors were struggling to hold on. Clegg came into possession around 15 metres out and evaded a couple of half-hearted tackles on a run to the line where a simple offload to back row Jamie Lightfoot earned the score.
Soon after, Aspatria’s influential number eight Matthew Atkinson was yellow carded, and this was Keswick’s chance to get back into the game.
They did put Aspatria under considerable pressure, coming close to scoring on several occasions but were unable to score a try during the ten minute’s of Atkinson’s spell in the sin bin but Mewse did put over a penalty to cut the gap to 23-17.
Aspatria’s third try of the day was an absolute beauty. In essence, it was a standard back-line movement starting around halfway. The entire back division played a part as the ball zipped across the field with sublime timing and accuracy that left Keswick short in defence and provided a hole for Kai Gilhespy to dart through. Clegg converted.
Into the last twenty minutes and Keswick were still battling with great commitment which was formidable and looked enough to deny Aspatria a fourth try bonus point.
But with the last play of the game the home side delighted their supporters. A penalty was awarded in Aspatria territory but the mighty boot of fullback Irving put his forwards within five metres of the Keswick line.
Aspatria controlled the line-out and went through the phases. Keswick held but it was a tired defence and the bulk of Atkinson proved too much as he delivered a much valued score.
Whilst Aspatria no doubt overall deserved to win the match, Keswick felt the final score most definitely flattered them.
