Derby games are always keenly fought encounters. This was no exception as these two sides dug deep into their reserves of passion and commitment to win a game which could have far reaching consequences this season.

It was Carlisle who came out of the blocks the sharpest, attempting to recreate their efforts at Bower park in November. Aspatria however were far more switched on and snuffed out the home sides efforts to break the gainline. Indeed the visitors looked to have gained considerable territory as a series of penalties gave them the opportunity to push Carlisle back into their half, through Jack Cleggs kicks to touch. From the last lineout, prop Henry Furbank managed to wrestle the ball from the Aspatria forwards in the maul and made hard yards down the left touchline. As the ball was passed across the backline, centre Dan Holmes made a typical piercing run, through the scrambling Aspatria defence, just being dragged down metres from the line. There weren’t enough defenders left though to prevent fly half James Telford being on the end of recycled ball to open the scoring for the day.

Any thoughts of Carlisle repeating the blitzkrieg from November were quickly dispelled by Aspatria who mounted a series of sustained attacks on the Carlisle defence. The Warwick road side spent much of the middle twenty minutes of the first half keeping Aspatria away from their try line. A thundering run down the left touchline put winger Lee Tinnion in space for a try that was just stopped when fullback Andy Glendinning managed to force the winger to spill the ball. There were other opportunities for Aspatria for points on the board, as a grubber behind the home defence, was just grounded by a Carlisle hand for a 22 drop out.
That left the Bower park side contemplating penalty opportunities, with Aspatria fly half Clegg converting one of two long range penalty attempts to close the score to 5-3.

It was the Carlisle side that ended the half on the up, with the pack demonstrating just how well disciplined they have been all season. With Carlisle gaining a scrum 15m out, they marched Aspatria back 10m, with a pick and go by no 8 James Brocket just foiled inches short of the line. Having been awarded a penalty from the scrum disintegrating, the Carlisle side scrummed it again, and again, finally being penalised as scrum half Matty Roper was caught in possession, the wrong side of the try line. With Aspatria kicking it out the park to end the half, you could be forgiven for thinking that Carlisle had spilled a golden opportunity for a safe 3 points, as the half ended 5-3.

With just a few minutes of the second half gone, Carlisle lost a man to the bin for an infringement at the ruck, though Clegg was unable to convert the penalty for Aspatria. With a man down Carlisle had to dig deep into reserves to keep the visitors at bay, as temporarily Aspatria managed to regain a bit of composure in the scrum. However defensively the home side were magnificent as they kept a resurgent Aspatria side at bay. It was Carlisle who broke the deadlock, as restored to a full complement, the forwards drove Aspatria deep into their territory. Then from a breakdown, fly half Telford picked a line through the Aspatria defence, just being hauled down by fullback Andrew Miller short of the line.

With the Carlisle pack on hand close behind, a series of pick and go’s gave returning warhorse Lee Brumpton the chance to be driven over with Stu Graham in close support to give Carlisle a bigger points cushion, Telford converting the try he created to put the score at 12-3.

There were still 25 minutes to go though, and no-one was patting themselves on the back. Aspatria tried their hardest to break the Carlisle defence down, but were repulsed at every point. Indeed had Brumpton, by now wearing a natty tennis headband, not tried to chip the last Aspatria defender, as he sprinted down the touchline, Carlisle may have put the game beyond Aspatria’s grasp.

With 10mins left, Carlisle’s high penalty count cost them as Clegg converted yet another long range penalty to narrow the score to 12-6. This was now tense stuff for the spectators, with any slip in concentration by Carlisle likely to be punished. However the home side closed the match out with some resolute defence. Although both sides lost a man to the bin at the end as tempers frayed, Carlisle closed the game with a penalty infringement by Aspatria being kicked off the park to the delight of the players and fans alike.

Carlisle will be pleased from this performance, demonstrating that not only can they score tries but also that their defence was immense in the face of a very determined Aspatria side. It was clear this wasn’t going to be the try fest we had back in November, but this was no less entertaining and both sides should be congratulated for serving up an absorbing game.

As Captain Tom Graham commented afterwards "Both teams put their bodies on the line for a game that meant so much to them. A classic derby game where not much rugby was played but was an exciting game to play in. Aspatria continued to come at us but our defence held strong although the man in the middle tried to make sure we were tested. Can't be happier with a win but now looking forward to the next game."

Assistant coach Scott Rattray added " The boys stuck in well and gave a mature performance, we lacked a bit of discipline at times and failed to really get on top of the referee. However our defence held tight even when we had a man in the bin and we managed to manufacture 2 good tries which was enough on the day to see us through. Hats off to Aspatria who gave it their all and never stopped playing until the final whistle."

The consequences are that, through other results, Carlisle extend their lead to 15 points at the top of the table, putting themselves in the box seat for promotion. There are however plenty of top table games to come yet, and plenty of sides who will want to change that. Carlisle will need to repeat the strength and mettle displayed today to make sure of their return to the next level.

There is now a two week break with the next match away against Hawcoat Park on the 28th January.