Coatesy was actually spending a holiday weekend nearby with his family and a lengthy visit to the Cumberland Infirmary was certainly not on his agenda. We wish him a speedy recovery.

His injury came on the half hour of a first half in which Aspatria started strongly and went into a 10-0 lead. We came back with a lot of pressure in the home 22 resulting in a series of penalties. Ryan Painter opted  to tap and go from one passing to Coatesy on the short side, and as he was stopped he went down awkwardly, and very painfully,  on his left arm.

Adam Hutchinson was his worthy replacement and we continued to press. However, Aspatria defended well all afternoon, and when they broke out the inevitable happened as their slick backs created a gap on the left to take the score to 17-0 at half time.

That lead was extended by a further three points from the restart with Isaac Robinson judged to have come in from the side.

Wer finally got something for our considerable efforts after another series of penalties in the home 22. This time the home forwards weren't able to stop Chris Atkins with Sam Heron adding an easy conversion.

Five minutes later our hopes of another second half match winning performance were raised when Ryan Painter broke free to offload to Matt Siddle who went over to take us to within six points (right). The pressure continued with Adam Brown - on at half time for the injured Craig Hadwen - looked to have driven over from short range. Unfortunately, the pile of bodies which quickly engulfed him prevented the ref from being able to make the award.

We continued to battle away while Aspatria always looked dangerous and they got their third try in controversial circumstances. Ryan Painter tackled the right winger on the touchline with the West players believing he was a good foot in touch. However, the TJ's flag appeared to go up then down and the winger continued to touch down with the ref awarding the try.

He had already overruled the home touch judge on one similar call and skipper Painter's reaction to the score was to ask for the young touch judge to be replaced, which duly happened. 

Despite it all Aspatria fully deserved their win thanks to some strong running forwards and a talented set of young backs who took their chances. Few would argue that we would have deserved a point for our hard work and commitment - specially in the second half.

We continued to look for that score with Will Hilditch just failing to get on the end of chip into the corner. However, yet again there was a try with the very last move of the game - it went the way of the home side to earn  Aspatria a try bonus point.

Finishing in the four guaranteed promotion places now looks a long way off but there are still 35 points to fight for. 

Aspatria: Ross Barton, Alex Barton, Joe Beaty, Ryan Scott, Grant Bethwaite, Matthew Irving, Jack Clegg (captain), Craig Halligan, Adam Cavanagh, Jack Gaskell, Richard Miller, Chris Graham. Phil Dixon, Jamie Lightfoot, Gary Hodgson.

Reps (all used): Andrew Graham, Josh Watson, Luke Jackson.

West: Sam Heron, Lewis Scott, Will Hilditch, Ollie Connolly, Owen Westhorp, Matt Siddle, Ryan Painter (capt), Tim Blaes, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Coates, Jake Linighan, Craig Hadwen, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins, Andy Turner.

Reps (used): Adam Brown, Adam Hutchinson. (Not used): Zac Southern

Tries: Atkins, Siddle

Cons: Heron (2)