Going into the final North Lancs/Cumbria League game of the season, Aspatria Rugby Club knew that only a win would secure second spot and a shot at promotion.

A 32-15 victory was duly delivered at Littleborough but Aspatria now have a wait before their opponents in the promotion shoot-out are known.

Aspatria will face an away tie at either Glossop or Wirral-based Anselmians.

These clubs, in the South Lancs and Cheshire League, will complete their fixtures on Saturday and the results will determine which of them host the Black Reds.

It was job done, but it was far from Aspatria’s best performance against a doggedly determined Littleborough side.

Aspatria won the first scrum of the day, against the head. They also destroyed the home side’s first line-out and, in the early stages, mauled the ball downfield in majestic fashion. All statements of intent but what they did not do was retain the ball.

As a result, Littleborough not only held the visitors at bay during the first quarter, but took the game to them and arguably had the better of the play until Aspatria finally got a grip on the game.

The breakthrough came on 21 minutes. An initial run by back-row Matthew Atkinson put Aspatria in the danger area and then a penalty was earned five metres out and Aspatria called for the scrum.

The Black Reds pack had control of the set-piece and eased the ball to the line where number eight Gary Hodgson picked up and muscled a final few inches over the line. Ryan Scott’s conversion was good.

Within minutes of the restart, Aspatria were back in the home 22 and the general pressure continued with Littleborough solid in defence but finding it difficult to clear their lines.

On 32 minutes, stand-off Scott spotted a narrow gap in the home defensive pattern and darted through to set-up another period of attack from Aspatria.

The defence was desperate and initially effective but, when a charge by left wing Grant Bethwaite was illegally halted, Aspatria had no hesitation in turning the awarded penalty into an attacking scrum. The result was exactly the same as the first score, with Hodgson again picking up and using both his experience and strength to gain the final few inches.

Littleborough’s reaction to going 12-0 behind was immediate. Home stand-off Chris Park fired out a series of well-timed passes to bring his runners into the game.

The attacks came deep in Aspatria territory and tested the visitors’ defence on both the left and right flanks before number eight Jake Castree was able to take advantage of a loose tackle and go over to end the first half.

The home side turned around with the breeze at their backs and playing down the slope. This was a clear advantage and inspired the home side to start the half with a blitz on the Aspatria line.

After only three minutes, the Littleborough pack mauled the ball to the Aspatria line where Murphy Holt broke-off and fell over the line.

From the restart Aspatria, as a team, harassed the home side in possession, and eventually Scott was left with an easy penalty shot to increase the lead to five points.

Despite the penalty setback, the start of the second half was Littleborough’s best period of the game and, on 50 minutes, home forward power produced a deserved reward. There was no stopping Castree when he got a glimpse of the line and bullocked over for his second of the day, bringing the scores level.

Home supporters had every right to feel that the momentum of the contest had moved in their favour but they were to suffer disappointment.

On 53 minutes, Aspatria scored a fine third try. Full-back Lee Tinnion’s run from deep was taken over by Atkinson, followed by right wing Andrew Miller.

This carried the ball past the home 22 where Aspatria’s supporting forwards took over.

First up was Phil Dixon who made vital yards before slipping a pass to hooker James Ravell. The defence was scrambling back but not quick enough to prevent Ravell’s charge over the whitewash. Scott converted.

Littleborough continued to hassle Aspatria, however, and it required solid defence to keep the home side at bay. What was lacking from Littleborough was the energy shown in the earlier assaults.

With 15 minutes to play, the focus of the game switched to the home 22. Aspatria battered the line with several try-scoring attempts stopped inches short.

The screw was being turned and a fourth Aspatria try followed on 72 minutes.

Solid work by forwards Richard Miller and Adam Cavanagh built an attacking position down the right touchline and their fellow pack member, Greg Dickinson, finished it at the corner flag with inches to spare.

Up to this point, the game had been played in a good spirit but with only a handful of minutes to go a dispute arose in the forward ranks, and Aspatria’s Phil Dixon received a red card for his part in the uproar.

The game was now petering out but, right on the final whistle, Scott took the opportunity to knock over a final penalty.