Hawcoat Park badly wounded by bite of mighty Aspatria

AN under-strength Hawcoat Park side felt the full force of a very strong Aspatria team to suffer a heavy loss in their North Lancs/Cumbria League clash.

On a perfect October day for rugby and played on an excellent pitch, the pace right across the Aspatria back line was too much for the maroon and whites to handle as the home team were clinical in their finishing.

The exchanges up front were even. However, making use of the good conditions, Aspatria ran the ball at every possible opportunity from virtually everywhere on the pitch.

And with fly-half Jack Clegg booting conversions for fun, this made for a very difficult afternoon for a Hawcoat outfit missing influential skipper Danny White, Jason Priss and fly-half James Howden.

Park started the game very well, and fly-half George Smith booted them in front with a penalty.

But as to be expected Aspatria cranked up the pressure, running the ball out wide, and once they managed to breach the Hawcoat defence, the tries came at regular intervals.

The third Aspatria try summed up their style of play. Fielding the ball deep in his own half, the speedy Aspatria full-back ran the ball out wide and combined well with his winger. He made ground and drew the cover defence before slipping the ball inside to his supporting centre to run under the posts from 70 metres.

The highlight of the game from the visitors' point of view came when second row Ash Mowat took a clean line-out catch and confused the Aspatria defence when, instead of turning to his support, he ran forward strongly and forced his way over.

Hard working fly-half Smith slotted over the extra two, but there was still time for Aspatria to go over for a fifth try before the break to make the half-time score 33-10.

In the second half Aspatria took full control, using their strong bench to good effect to run in a further six tries with no reply.

In difficult circumstances centres Chris Burns and Matt Sayle had solid games and club stalwarts Ray and Carmen Sayle could be justifiably proud to see all three sons, Matt, Lewis and Rory, on the pitch together.

Stand-in skipper Will Mallinson took the man of the match award after yet another consistent hard-working performance.

This was a game to put to the back of Hawcoat's minds as they prepare to entertain league leaders Fleetwood this weekend.