Aspatria vs. Cockermouth RUFC
10th January 2009
This contest was as close as the score suggests, neither side was able to take control of the match for long enough periods to build up a substantial advantage. The game was hampered by a very strong wind across the park, making fluent back play extremely difficult. The first twenty minutes were pretty even, Aspatria perhaps being stronger in the tackle and using close runners more effectively than Cockermouth, crossing the gain line on many occasions. However, it was the visitors who took the lead on twenty-five minutes with a well-taken penalty by Andrew Skillen.
Shortly after, Cockermouth came close again when good work by the forwards took them to within a metre of the try line, strong defence forced an error and allowed them to clear their lines. On thirty five minutes, Cockermouth scored an excellent try when a quality move at the back of a 5 metre scrum sent the defence the wrong way, Ross Maguire took advantage of the deception to score to give an 8-0 advantage. Aspatria had a chance to get on the score sheet just before half time but over compensation for the wind took the ball wide.
Aspatria started the second half strongly, just being held up short, thinking they had done enough to clear their lines, Cockermouth didn’t react quick enough to stop a strong forward drive which lead to a score. The missed conversion meant Cockermouth just kept their noses in front. Cockermouth rang the changes with three substitutions that had a real impact on the game. Mark Holmes moved up to jump at number two in the line, having an impressive success rate on the Cockermouth put in and claiming a good percentage against the throw whilst also disrupting many others.
Cockermouth’s strength in the tackle and ability to cross the gain line was improving, thus putting more pressure on the home side’s defence and keeping their opportunities to a minimum. A penalty on sixty minutes increased the lead to 11-5. Two crucial events probably saved the day for Cockermouth, a superb scrum near their own line meant they pinched the ball to clear their lines and shortly after, a tremendous clearance kick by Aspatria was brilliantly caught by Andrew Skillen who then evaded the chasing tacklers to turn defence into attack and maintain pressure in the Aspatria territory. Ceiron William, who was instrumental in many Cockermouth attacks, continued to work hard and cause problems until the end, he was brought down just short on at least two occasions. Aspatria did work their way up the field and made it a tense last five minutes, they came close to scoring the vital try, but Cockermouth just held on to earn a hard fought victory. Both teams should be commended for their approach to a tough, physical encounter.
RFU.com 
Search
