There’s no beating about the bush, Aspatria’s 26-34 defeat at home to Guisborough is a severe blow to their hopes of avoiding the end of season relegation play-off game.
There are still five games remaining in the regular season, but Aspatria will now need something very special to have any chance of overtaking rival sides, Guisborough and Durham City.
One of these two clubs is nearly certain to be Aspatria’s opponents in a single game shoot-out to decide which is relegated.
The chances are that Aspatria’s opposition will enjoy home advantage for this crucial game.
Aspatria’s game was the only fixture in the Regional 2 North league to survive overnight frost, blighting the North of England and this was welcome news for the Bower Park faithful, given the availability of what was judged to be a strong Aspatria line-up.
The game started positively for the home side. An early score seemed highly probable with only a couple of Aspatria handling errors preventing Guisborough from going behind.
With 12 or so minutes played, the pressure eventually paid off. Aspatria line-out ball deep in the visitors’ 22 was well controlled, and a series of pick and go moves finished with a score from prop Arran Sullivan with Jack Clegg converting.
Following the opening score, Guisborough began to gain some momentum and posted an equalising try after 18 minutes which stemmed with their first visit of the game into the home 22.
It was a good score, starting with a penalty to the corner and ending with a well-controlled maul over the line for 7-7.
The score marked a definite improvement in Guisborough’s overall play whilst Aspatria backed off into defensive mode. It was not a great game to watch, but around the 30 minute mark, a short but intriguing passage of play opened up.
The beginning was Guisborough being awarded a penalty in front of the Aspatria posts. A near certain three points were ignored and a run gamble failed, but a second opportunity was earned, and this developed into a catch and drive combination, which also ended badly.
Still, Guisborough had another go via a 5 metre scrum. Again, Aspatria defended well and regained possession.
Unfortunately, the clearance effort was poor, ending in Guisborough coming full circle with a penalty in front of the posts. This time points were taken, and the visitors led by three.
The game was generally going in Guisborough’s favour, and it was certainly in line with the run of play when they extended their lead with a second try. Half-time was looming, but there was time to restart, and this presented Aspatria with an opportunity to close the gap.
It was a superb and fluent passing movement commencing just inside the Aspatria half.
The charge was started by prop Josh Holmes, and in the course of the move, he would be involved twice more before outside centre Guy Reed delivered the score.
Just 17-14 down at halftime looked a reasonable outcome for Aspatria, but they failed to carry the quality of the last score into the second period.
Errors assisted Guisborough to take a grip of the game, and on 50 minutes they deservedly increased the lead with a penalty.
By this stage, influential forward Matthew Atkinson had joined the battle from the bench. His impact was near immediate and helped Aspatria restore a lead.
A penalty was earned in the Guisborough 22, and Atkinson took a tap and go. His charge to the line was immediately followed up by the rest of the Aspatria pack, who pushed Atkinson to the line, where hooker Adam Cavanagh took possession and touched down.
Aspatria were back in business at 21-20, but the confidence boost of the score lasted less than a couple of minutes.
The re-start was poorly handled by Aspatria. From the error made, Guisborough were able to work a position close to the line which the home side failed to defend. The reward was a converted try for the visitors and a 27-21 advantage on the scoreboard.
Aspatria had opportunities to restore the lead, but a combination of errors and solid defence frustrated all efforts. The fatal blow came with 10 minutes left on the clock when Guisborough scored a 4th try and earned not only the win but a full five points.
The starting point for the score was hard-earned by the visitors, but the try itself could best be described as a walk-in, with the home defence being near absent.
There was a glimpse of a better Aspatria as the clock wound down. The fight was still on, and in the game’s dying embers, a quality home move, ending with a solo charge by Atkinson, delivered a try. But as the old cliché would have it, too little too late
Disappointment all around, but there is some comfort for home supporters in that their team has not yet withdrawn from the fight and the battles that lie ahead.
