Carlisle’s Warwick Road ground was in great condition to host what was a relegation battle of sorts.
In a hard fought contest, the home side took a full 5 points to ease their league position.
Aspatria’s hopes of a win lasted until the final 10 minutes of the game but in the final analysis, Euan Forlow, the excellent Carlisle centre, proved just too good in the face of a tiring defence and it was his work that delivered the victory.
Neither side is in any imminent danger of the drop. The current bottom two clubs Guisborough and Kirkby Lonsdale both suffered heavy defeats and are now running out of games in which to make a dash for safety.
Aspatria stay 8th with Carlisle one point behind in 9th and a decent 14 point cushion between them and the drop zone.
In the game’s early action, the teams looked well matched with game action swinging from one half to the other.
Aspatria missed a penalty to take an early lead and left it to Carlisle to break the deadlock with 17 minutes played. The try delivered after a short but precise backline move opened a gap for Forlow to go through and score.
Aspatria were quick to retaliate. Carlisle botched the restart and handed Aspatria’s Jack Clegg his second penalty opportunity bringing the deficit back to 7-3.
Into the second quarter of the game, Carlisle began to take advantage of good field position deep in the Aspatria half.
Success was not immediate, the defence was strong and patience was required to break down the resistance but when the try came under the posts the lead extended to 14-3.
With the game edging towards the end of the half, Aspatria produced their best rugby of the day.
The visiting pack hammered the Carlisle line for several minutes but were repulsed.
Eventually, Carlisle regained possession and looked in position to clear their lines but the kick was charged down.
Hard working Aspatria second row Riley Thwaites was not only able to block the kick but also had the skill to pick up and make good yards before releasing to back row Jamie Lightfoot to go over.
Carlisle held a 14-10 lead at half time but the game was finely balanced. Aspatria’s forwards looked to have the edge in the trenches but Carlisle’s back division when space could be created looked a real danger.
Aspatria weathered an early storm as the half began but escaped unscathed. As time moved on the visitors mounted a handful of sustained attacks. A try would not come but a Clegg penalty closed the gap to a single point, 14-13 and they were back in contention.
The clock ticked on and Carlisle took their turn to enjoy the best of field position. Twice Carlisle declined kickable penalties to extend the lead in favour of try scoring options. Twice they failed.
The final 20 minutes of the game loomed, heralding a good spell of possession for Aspatria before disaster struck.
Aspatria were pressing in the home 22. Slow progress but with the try line 10 metres away the Carlisle defence looked ready to buckle when they were saved by the award of a penalty.
This was quickly tapped and the ball fed out to Forlow who ran the full length of the pitch. It was a superb score for the outside centre who has recently rejoined Carlisle after a spell with Tynedale.
At 21-13 Carlisle had the upper hand but Aspatria were not yet out of the contest. Courtesy of a yellow card, Carlisle went down to 14 men but even so Aspatria could not push home their advantage.
With 8 minutes remaining, Forlow delivered the killer blow. Carlisle had broken out of defence and around halfway Forlow took over possession and proved unstoppable on his way through the Aspatria defence and under the posts for the bonus point try and the game clinching score.
It was not yet over for Aspatria. They resumed position deep in the home 22 where in a desperate defence Carlisle suffered another yellow and went down to 13 men.
The result was an inevitable 5 metre scrum which Carlisle could not defend and a penalty try was conceded to bring the deficit back to 28-20.
In the closing minutes, Aspatria chased a losing bonus point but Carlisle held firm to see out the game.
Carlisle tries: Freddie Rawling, Finn Kennedy, Euan Forlow (2). Conversions: Jason Israel (4)
