DEPLETED HORNETS GRIND OUT THE WIN

A depleted Aspatria team managed to upset the odds to snatch the two points at Maryport yesterday. Hit by the a couple of late withdrawals, the Hornets men dug deep to secure a 26-16 win. Head Coach Hitro Okesene and Assistant, Ricky Holliday, were delighted with the character shown by their charges, especially the younger members of the squad.

The weather conditions were changeable but the pitch was in great condition at Mealpot Road and both sides started the game in a determined manner with neither side managing to get on top in the opening quarter. Both packs were locked in an arm wrestle to try and gain the ascendency but with little success.

Given the slippery conditions, it was nip and tuck with passes being short and limited in nature and, as one would expect, defences were on top. Maryport reverted to route one and sent a large amount of heavy traffic down the middle of the field with home props Atherton and Dollochin proving to be a handful for the Aspatria defence.

Halfway through the first period Maryport hit Aspatria with a quickfire brace of tries both from impressive hooker, Chris Ivison. Stand-off, Craig Foster converted both to give the home side a 12-0 advantage. It could have been 18-0 if it were not for a superb last gasp tackle from Guy Reed who held the Maryport man up over the line when it looked for all the world like a try would be scored.

Aspatria stuck to their guns manfully with young prop, Cameron Harrison, doing it tough after sustaining a knock to the face in the opening tackle, leading the charge and hooker, Jack Wilson posing a threat around the ruck. They were ably abetted by Richard Stamper and evergreen prop, Steven Carruthers who both got through a mountain of work in both defence and attack.

Towards the end of the first half Aspatria gained some reward for all their travails when full-back, Darryl Creighton scored a much needed try to give the Hornets a foothold in the game. Luke Johnson converted to make the score 12-6 and this remained the score at the break.

The second half was equally ferocious with both sets of players giving their all to try and gain the upper hand. Maryport again looked to their big men of Atherton, Bragg, Dollochin and Ivison senior to try and break the stalemate but the Aspatria defence was resolute.

As Maryport had done to Aspatria in the first half, the Hornets hit the home side with a 10 minute, three try blitz that, in essence, sealed the game. Scott Donald was the first to benefit after a great break down the left flank by Guy Reed. Reed was supported very well by Gary Armstrong who was in turn caught with a high tackle by Thompson. This led to a penalty, and a sin-bin for the Maryport man, and from the next play Donald scored the try. Johnson was unable to convert.

Soon after, Jack Wilson capped an impressive afternoon in the number 9 jersey when he got over in a similar place to Donald only minutes before. This time Johnson hit the post and the Hornets fans were left wondering if these two misses could prove vital in the final analysis. However their fears were allayed somewhat when Captain, Luke Crossman, made the best of a loose pass and picked it up off the ground and found a yawning gap in the Maryport defence to power over from twenty metres out. This time Johnson made no mistake.

The final 15 minutes saw tempers get heated with Atherton and Hamilton having a tête à tête and each play-the-ball seemed to be a mini-individual battle between the two teams.

Aspatria sealed the game in the final ten minutes when Guy Reed, who really showed his leadership credentials, spotted half a gap and needed no second invitation to dart over and score. Johnson added the goal to take the Hornets to 26-12 lead.

Maryport grabbed a late score via Foster and Patterson was yellow-carded after a dust up with Aspatria forward Hamilton to cap an eventful final quarter of the game.

The final whistle sounded and Aspatria celebrated a dogged win.

Young prop, Cameron Harrison, was awarded the man-of-the-match award for Aspatria after an all-action display in the front row with his Maryport counterpart, Chris Ivison sealing the home MOM.

Thank you to Maryport for their hospitality and see you next season.