Wigton dented Aspatria’s hopes of promotion with a hard fought 15-5 win in Saturday’s local derby.

Aspatria needed a win to keep the pressure on North Lancs Cumbria League leaders St Benedict’s, but they are now eight points off the pace and Saints have a game in hand.

Wigton’s heroic defensive display saw them move up to sixth in the table.

The visiting Black Reds had the advantage of a slight breeze at kick-off but the hosts had the brighter start.

Jonny Charters hit an early penalty attempt wide and Aspatria started to work their way into the game.

Wigton then found themselves a man down as Gregg Smith was sent to the sin-bin and Aspatria had an opportunity to break the deadlock.

Lee Tinnion fielded a clearance kick in his own half and set off on a run.

The ball was worked out to Jack Robinson on the wing and then to second-row Matthew Atkinson who then offloaded to Gary Hodgson, but the number eight misjudged the pace of the ball with the line at his mercy.

Aspatria then thought they had gone ahead on 28 minutes as Tinnion crashed over in the corner but he was judged to have had a foot in touch.

A mounting penalty count started to take its toll on Aspatria and Charters scored the first points of the afternoon with a penalty in front of the posts on 36 minutes for a 3-0 lead.

This sparked the home side into life and they soon had Aspatria trapped in their own half.

Aspatria’s defence held initially but more penalties crept into their game and Atkinson was sent ot the sin-bin after a warning from the referee. Wigton decided to take the scrum.

Aspatria twice defended the Wigton shove but at the cost of a penalty.

The third time they did this, the referee was left with little choice and Wigton were awarded a penalty try which sent them into half-time 10-0 ahead.

It took 20 minutes of the second half before another scoring opportunity presented itself and in the 63rd minute, Wigton put the game beyond their opponents.

Aspatria had moved to the Wigton 22 and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts but, rather than taking the three points on offer, Jack Clegg kicked the ball to touch for a five-metre line out.

They gathered the line-out and tried to move the maul towards the line but were stopped by stern defence.

They moved the ball into the backline but Wigton’s Aron Henderson moved out of defence and seized on a loose ball to start a charge that would go the full length.

Dave Hanabury took the ball to the right-hand corner and he passed outside to Ryan Clark who dived over for 15-0.

Wigton missed a long-range penalty four minutes from time and shortly after Aspatria picked up a consolation try.

The Black reds charged forward and Hodgson was given the ball 10 metres from the line.

He moved around some tired defenders to go over for a final score of 15-5.