There was more frustration for Cockermouth with a result so close but again far away.
They still seek their first win of the season in National 2 North as they went down 18-7 at home to West Hartlepool.
Although Wasps were much changed again they got out of the blocks well and continued the previous week’s improved attack.
Stand-off Ed Gate and full back Johnny Crichton found space for fun off kick returns and these two would be prominent all game with Crichton taking the man of the match award.
Unfortunately, as seen too many times this season, the Wasps just couldn’t be clinical enough with chances created and West Hartlepool took theirs.
Decisions were going against both teams at key times and it would be the away side who took advantage of this, kicking two penalties for a 6-0 lead.
The killer blow came just before half time when the home scrum buckled and with the front five still on the floor the visitors took a quick tap from a penalty awarded and a walk in from the scrum half was created to lead 11-0 at half-time.
Coach Chris Wright urged the home team to smarten up with the ball, not to chase the game but work harder to build phases and finish more calmly.
There was also a call for the younger lads to lift their game and get to the levels of veterans Ian McDowell, Ryan Hetherington and captain Ant Davies who were very good again.
Young Lewis Bancroft, off the bench, certainly rose to this challenge and had another quality game.
All credit to the Wasps who set a good game pace in the second half, improved ball retention and put the away side under a lot of pressure.
Enough chances were created to win the game and sustained pressure eventually led to full back Crichton scoring with a good conversion for Gate.
This would lead to an exciting finish with both touchlines getting excited as both teams went after the win.
Wasps should have had the next try after good work from Ben Irving who won the tackle and got a clean offload to supporting scrum half Grant Law to go under sticks but unfortunately the pass was dropped.
West Hartlepool took full advantage and after quickly moving the ball up the pitch, a few sustained carries from their back row led to a late try and a win.
