
Aspatria advanced in the Papa John Community Cup by the slenderest of margins.
The winning score came from the final play of the game, courtesy of a fatal error by Morpeth, leading to the award of a penalty try.
This was a remarkable game to witness. Aspatria supporters are used to their team giving opposition early points and then having to claw a way back into contention, sometimes successfully but it’s a habit to get rid of.
On this weather perfect day at Bower Park, Aspatria fans watched Morpeth build a points mountain that even the most faithful thought the home team could not climb.
With only 20 minutes gone, owing to a mix of excellent rugby and some good fortune, Morpeth held a seemingly unassailable 27-0 lead. This was built on the back of two early penalties and three converted tries.
The first of the tries had many in the crowd scratching their heads. A superb 80-metre solo run by Morpeth’s George Liddle was ended by a classic tackle from Aspatria fullback Jack Clegg.
It looked perfect but the referee saw something illegal and despite Aspatria’s cover defence being first to the loose ball awarded a penalty try. If that was fortunate, there was only skill to admire in Morpeth’s next two tries that followed rapidly to establish that 0-27 advantage.
Nearly 30 minutes had elapsed before Aspatria struck back with a converted try, Alex Barton going over after good work by the home pack but this was almost immediately negated by one from Morpeth to maintain that 27-point advantage.
Despite the grip Morpeth held, it was also clear that as half time approached, the balance of play was gradually shifting in favour of Aspatria. The home forwards had established a clear advantage in the set scrum and Morpeth were at a loss as to how to deal with this.

With only a few minutes of the half remaining, Aspatria secured good field position. The pack did the rest with two converted scores, the first from captain Jack Gaskell and the second delivered by fellow prop Arran Sullivan with the final play to end the first period. Still in arrears but at 21-34, not without hope.
The second half started well for Aspatria. A fourth try followed from the restart as back row Owen Blackburn darted over. Again, the impact was quickly defused by Morpeth, who in turn scored their fifth of the day to increase the halftime advantage to 26-41.
The game was very even at this stage and Morpeth looked to take the sting out of Aspatria by exploiting penalty kicks. An early attempt failed but with 55 minutes played, success in front of the sticks seemed capable of ending any Aspatria thoughts of a revival, providing an 18 point cushion going into the final quarter.
To their credit Aspatria kept coming. The home forwards were a constant problem for Morpeth but credit also has to go to Aspatria centre Guy Reed and No10 Ryan Scott who provided an unrelenting threat that had to be dealt with.
Hope for Aspatria was resurrected as the final 10 minutes approached. Try number 5 was duly delivered, a bullocking effort from second row Chris Graham, reducing the deficit to 11 points.
It was now all out defence on the part of Morpeth. Aspatria battered the line and were initially rebuffed.
The breakthrough came with just 3 minutes to play, a score eating further into Morpeth’s advantage. It was a try of some quality with the Aspatria backline out foxing the defence to provide a gap for Clegg to evade the final tackle and go over.

Aspatria, now down by only 4 points needed one more try but the clock was their enemy.
They rampaged down field knowing that the next stop in play would end the game. The error was made, Morpeth regained possession on the try line, awarded a penalty to use and bring the contest to an end.
This is the point where Morpeth supporters should look away. The ball was duly kicked into touch, sparking jubilation amongst the visiting players and supporters. The celebration proved premature.
The referee ruled that a tap had not been played before the kick into touch and as such a lineout must be taken.
It was Morpeth’s put-in but a lifeline had just been chucked Aspatria’s way and they grabbed it.
The lineout was spoiled, leading to a late 5 meter scrum which Morpeth could not legally defend and the official had no alternative but to award Aspatria a penalty try to end this thrilling game and put the home side through to the next round.