HORNETS LEAVE IT (VERY) LATE VERSUS LOWCA

Aspatria Hornets took the spoils in a closely fought encounter against Lowca, in what was the first game played on the new pitch.

The Hornets opened the scoring through Richard Stamper as the ball was shifted from left to right and Stamper powered through the gap before dotting down. Luke Johnson was unable to add the extras from out wide.

The visitors responded with two tries in quick succession. The first was scored by James McNally and the second by Mitchell Todd, as he burrowed over from dummy-half. Both were converted by Tony Hetherington giving his side a 12-4 lead into Half-time.

The Hornets started the second half well and were first to strike when Mark Irwin spun out of a tackle and over the line out wide. Johnson this time goaled to reduce the deficit to two, before a Hetherington penalty stretched it to four.

Lowca then thought they had won the game when Luke Stockton raced away down the touchline to score, again Hetherington was successful with the conversion.

Then the fightback started as Mark Irwin scored again after spotting a gap in the defensive line before touching down, but Johnson hit the outside of the post with the conversion leaving Lowca with a one score lead.

Both sides were then reduced to twelve men when a brawl saw Brad Bouch and Lowca's Jamie Haile sent off for fighting. From the resulting penalty, Hetherington missed what turned out to be a crucial kick at goal to stretch the lead.

Ross Barton then scored a brilliant individual try which started in his own half before carving his way through the defensive line and under the posts giving Johnson a straightforward goal to level the score.

Johnson then saw his drop goal attempt dip under the crossbar before Mark Irwin managed to slot one between the posts with the last play, to cap off a dramatic game.

The final score 21-20 to the Hornets.

Many thanks to Lowca for staying after the game and enjoying the hospitality.

Aspatria have an away fixture to Hensingham next Saturday.