Aspatria and Cockermouth took centre stage on Saturday, the only E B Lamb Amateur Cup quarter final that had survived the weather.
The other three ties due to be played on Friday night – Wath Brow A v Maryport; Kells A v Lowca and Hensingham A v Glasson Rangers – had been called-off and will be re-arranged at a later date.
The game went ahead at Silloth rugby union club, which has become Aspatria Hornets’ temporary home and has proved an admirable replacement.
Conditions were excellent underfoot but a 40mph cross wind, along with the April showers, made for difficult handling.
It was Aspatria who went ahead on 11 minutes when second-row forward Mark Irwin went 30 metres before twisting round the full-back to score under the posts. Ben Tootill converted.
Cockermouth hit back on 16 minutes when they managed to get the ball out wide for winger Spencer Fulton to go the last ten yards and score.
The Hornets were able to extend their lead with two quick tries in the 22nd and 28th minutes from influential hooker and skipper Scott Donald, with both converted by Tootill.
Although trailing 18-4 at the break Cockermouth came back strongly and enjoyed a lot of territory and possession. The Hornets defence was put under a lot of pressure but did not buckle.
The game breaker came on 73 minutes when Irwin raced 60 yards, threw an audacious dummy before going over and Toothill added the extras.
But Cockermouth weren’t done and deservedly came back to score a late try from full-back Ethan Cross who had played well throughout. Regan Tinnion added the conversion.
Half-back Guy Reed took the man of the match award for Aspatria with forward Cameron Harrison, a former Hornets player, earning the accolade for Cockermouth.
Aspatria’s Mark Ridley said: “We were really please to get the win against a young and hard-working Cockermouth side. They put us under a lot of pressure in the second-half and the way our defence dealt with it was very pleasing.
“I’d just like to say a big thank-you to Silloth RU club for hosting us. I think after a year out it was vital we started with regular fixtures and playing at Silloth has certainly helped.
“We now have four away games but I’m sure the boys will be buoyed by recent results.”
Cockermouth coach Liam McAvoy said: “It was a bit of a scrappy game in the conditions but from my perspective our defence wasn’t good enough.
“They had a second row forward who cut us open on a few occasions and we didn’t deal with him. Improving our defence is going to be a major objective.
“Really, I think it’s a case of building as the season progresses. We are getting numbers at training and I’m looking forward to working Tuesday and Thursday with them ahead of a tough test against Kells A.”
