The first game of the current campaign marked the start of Aspatria celebrating 150 years of rugby in the town, but newly promoted Wigton came within a whisker of upsetting the party.
The most fiercely-contested of all Cumbrian derby clashes on the rugby union field, this one finished 48-46 to the Black Reds.
During a wide-open game, the teams shared 14 tries to entertain a large crowd of partisan supporters in this much-anticipated local derby.
The respective coaches were not among those admiring the spectacle and must have despaired at times over some of the lacklustre defending on show.
Aspatria eventually got home by the narrowest of margins to claim a full five points, thanks to a never-say-die attitude.
For lengthy periods of the game, Wigton were in the driving seat without ever achieving a decisive advantage, and in the end, they had to settle for two bonus points.
All the early momentum came from the men in green, and with five minutes played, they took a 5-0 lead.
A penalty led to a catch-and-drive move close to the Aspatria line. When this made little impression, the ball was spread out across the field, allowing winger Alastair Gaitskell to dot down in the corner.
With Aspatria locked out of any meaningful ball possession, Wigton continued to attack and took full advantage on 10 minutes.
Aspatria, trying desperately to clear their line, had a kick charged down, presenting Joe Marrs with a walk-in under the posts for 12-0.
The negative scoreboard provided a wake-up call for Aspatria, and it was Wigton’s turn to defend.
The visitors were lucky to escape without conceding, as one of their defensive kicks was charged down but bobbled into touch.
They were not as lucky with the next clearing effort, as it handed Aspatria possession just outside the 22 and right winger, Shane Cusack, on his debut, roared down the flank for his first score of the day. Jack Clegg converted to narrow the deficit.
With the game entering the second quarter, Aspatria took the lead.
Another fine effort started by Cusack, who powered over the line to touch down, but surrounded by green shirts, the referee could not be certain of the score, and play continued.
The momentum was with Aspatria, and a concentrated forward effort put prop James Ravell over the line for 14-12.
Aspatria now pushed on, and a few minutes later, a penalty was awarded 30 or so metres from the line.
Clegg at stand-off got hands on the ball and launched a cross-field kick straight into the arms of Cusack, who had no opposition going over for his second try of the day to extend the lead.
The visitor’s response was immediate, and they were able to mount a sustained pick-and-go movement close to the Aspatria line, which broke down the defence, allowing Wigton’s Euan Fletcher to go in for the score which reduced the home lead to 21-19.
As half-time approached, Wigton gained control of the game.
Scrum half Flynn Manihera intercepted a home back line movement and earned an easy sprint to the posts to collect a 4th try bonus point for his side and the lead at 26-21.
In a frantic closing spell to the half, Clegg reduced the arrears with a penalty but Wigton took the honours with try number five.
It was an excellent score from Mathew Harrison involving several players in the build-up.
Trailing 31-24 at the break Aspatria really needed a quick start to the second period, and they got just that. Good movement within the home back division created space for Ryan Scott to go through some less than committed tackling to provide Aspatria’s fourth try and secure a bonus point.
With the score tied, Wigton enjoyed another journey downfield.
They spurned an easy three-point penalty to go for a try. It was a gamble, but one that paid off.
From the line-out, the pack mauled over the line for Ryan Armstrong to register the score.
On 54 minutes, Wigton extended their lead to 39-31 with a successful penalty following the yellow carding of Aspatria’s Alex Barton.
Approaching the final quarter, Aspatria introduced Matthew Atkinson from the bench, and his impact was near immediate.
The home side re-discovered a go-forward attitude, and following Atkinson’s burst into the 22, the ball was slung out wide right for hooker Adam Cavanagh to go over and reduce the arrears to just three points.
Despite Aspatria’s recovery, the momentum still appeared to be with Wigton, who scored try number seven with 19 minutes of the game remaining when Marrs went in for his second of the day.
The greens’ 46-36 lead was not quite a winning margin, but minutes later, when Aspatria’s Cavanagh went to the sin bin, it was certainly looking like it might be their day.
Wigton now had a straightforward penalty opportunity, perhaps to seal the result, but it was missed, and Aspatria breathed again.
Throughout the game, Cusack on the right wing was a constant threat when he came into possession.
On 67 minutes, he again proved too elusive for Wigton with a barnstorming run up the touchline to dot down for his hat-trick try.
With the deficit closed to five points Aspatria were back on top, but Wigton were not their only worry as time available began to slip away.
Wigton looked nervous in defence as Aspatria moved forward.
The vital score came with minutes to spare courtesy of centre Grant Bethwaite, who used all his experience to squeeze in at the corner flag and tie the game.
It all hinged on the touchline conversion attempt to follow. Fortunately for Aspatria, Clegg split the posts with the kick to deliver the opening day win.
Elliot Armstrong kicked four conversions and a penalty for Wigton but inexplicably missed a penalty from in front of the posts to go three scores ahead at the time or it would have finished as a narrow win for the Greens.
