It was clear West were going to be in for a tough afternoon from the outset as the hosts seemed intent on avenging their last minute defeat at Brinkburn earlier in the season. They started like a train and were a score up before West had really touched the ball. Davy Tighe caught the opening kick off and kicked to touch and from the resulting line out Aspatria rumbled into the 22 before the flanker peeled off the maul and was stopped inches short. He managed to pop the ball up to his supporting runner and the try was scored. Mike Scott added the conversion leaving West somewhat shocked.

The blistering start wasn't to end there, West struggled to get hold of any possession and frustration began to set in with few penalty decisions going against them. Scott had a shot at goal drift wide and hit the post with a drop goal before finally adding three points with a simple penalty.

West had already lost Andrew Hare to an early injury and just prior to the Scott penalty Neil Howe was dismissed for his role in a mass brawl on halfway. It had been a fractious start and tempers eventually boiled over when Gav Painter was taken out with a very late tackle. Howe retaliated and all of a sudden almost every player was involved. When order was finally restored the referee sin-binned the Aspatria winger for his initial late challenge but red carded Howe for his retaliation.

West finally managed to make some inroads whilst both sides were down to 14 and some good running from Jon Boatman took play inside the 22. A penalty was awarded in a very kickable position but skipper Anth Carr opted for a scrum, a decision West would regret when the move was ended with a forward pass.

As the half drew on Asptaria began to regain the ascendency and the half time whistle couldn't come soon enough for Tim Sawyer's men as their frustrations grew with the increasing penalty count. They held out until the break without conceding further points and whilst it had been one of the toughest halves West had faced all season, the game was far from over.

Sawyer's half time words obviously had the right effect as the attitude shown at the start of the second half was much better. West got on the attack straight away and when Rob Thorn was given some space on the wing he took his chance, adding another try to his impressive season tally. Moss failed with the wide conversion.

It was just the start West needed but as the half wore on try as they might there was no way through the Aspatria defence. The work rate couldn't be faulted but the fired up home side were not about to give up any soft scores. West dominated the scrum, rocking the home eight back time after time but some excellent work at the base prevented West gaining much advantage from the shove.

When a rare second half visit into the West 22 brought Aspatria a penalty chance Scott made no mistake and nudged his side further in-front. West battled on to the end with Painter and Tom Dixon both stopped inches short in the dying minutes but it wasn't to be their day.

It was a valiant second half effort but having gone down two scores so early in the game and with a man disadvantage it was always going to be a huge ask to get back in the game. Despite the defeat West should not be too discouraged, especially given the way they battled in the second half in difficult circumstances. This defeat, whilst a blow, hardly ends the promotion challenge – West are still in a commanding position and will have a chance to bounce straight back next week at home to Pontefract.



West: Painter, Hare (A Cheslin), Hodgson, Howe, Thorn, Moss, Tighe, Carr, A Dixon, Robinson, T Dixon, Davies (Rudd), D Boatman, Tones, J Boatman

Try: Thorn