A late score finally settled the game 25-19 in Aspatria’s favour but it was a close run thing at Guisborough.
The hosts demonstrated enough intent to show that they may escape a relegation zone that they currently share with Kirkby Lonsdale.
Aspatria, with four wins, remain 8th but the way the league is shaping up no team in the bottom half can consider themselves safe.
The game marked the first competitive fixture between the two clubs but with the season’s halfway point nearing only the result mattered to both camps.
Several key players were unavailable to coach Andy Brown, mainly in the backs division, so a difficult day ,on the road was already envisaged and so it proved.
Aspatria were forced to dip deep into their player pool to assemble a backs line-up that had not previously played as a unit. The new personnel included 48-year-old Steven Stoddart who produced a solid display at fullback.
During the game Aspatria were further hampered by a high penalty count and in the course of play, three yellow cards.
Guisborough started the game with a fine display of rugby that immediately put Aspatria under pressure and it was no surprise that they opened the scoring on seven minutes with a converted try that owed much to clever interchanges in the back line.
The 7-0 lead was cut to 7-5 on 15 minutes when hooker, James Hunter, was at the end of a rolling maul that took the Aspatria pack across the line.
Minutes later the first yellow card was handed to centre Ben Tootill and Guisborough used the penalty that was awarded to extend the lead to 10-5.
Aspatria try scorer Hunter went to the bin on 30 minutes but curiously during this period, the Black Reds wrested some of the initiative away from Guisborough.
Jack Clegg, now operating at scrum half after starting the game at stand-off, was able to knock over two penalties to provide Aspatria with an 11-10 half-time advantage.
Into the second period and again Guisborough started with positive intent. With only minutes played they scored a second try to lead 15-11.
Up to the 60th minute mark the home side looked strong and capable of securing a vital win. Around this point the Aspatria coach rang the changes and emptied the bench. On came Mark Watson, Jude Wilkinson and Jack Gaskell.
The difference was near immediate. Aspatria took control in the forwards with prop Gaskell leading the charge and Watson’s darting runs pressurising the home defence.
It did not take long for Aspatria to regain the lead with a fine try coming from number eight Chris Graham, converted by Clegg.
The next phase of play might have put Guisborough back in control. Back row Lewis Barwise went to the bin and during this period the home side missed two kickable penalties before drawing level with a third on 75 minutes.
Minutes to play but Aspatria were not yet done. The back-line now looked comfortable in possession and with assists from members of the pack put together the best move of the game ending with Clegg going under the posts and then converting his own try.
There was time to restart the game but Aspatria proved comfortable in defence to see time out and take the win.
Man of the Match was awarded to Mark Watson. His direct running and physicality proved a key factor in the win, not forgetting a last minute turn-over that helped see the game out.
