A 42-29 reversal at North Lancs/Cumbria rivals Bolton Rugby Club put a dent in Aspatria’s title ambitions.

The Black Reds matched Bolton’s five tries with five of their own and will rue penalties conceded that gave Bolton’s Mike Mills kicking opportunities to put clear water between the sides.

The five tries scored by Aspatria produced a consolation bonus-point that may prove crucial as Aspatria continue the hunt for, at least, the league play-off berth and a chance of promotion.

Leaders De La Salle were not in action on Saturday but continue to head the competition with 84 points from 23 games.

The Salford side appear to have a comfortable run-in and it will be a surprise if they are overhauled in the title race.

The chasing pack is now down to three clubs; Bolton, played 23 with 80 points, Wigton lie three points adrift, as do Aspatria.

The Black Reds, in fourth, do have a game in hand on the clubs above and will be keenly interested in the outcome of the upcoming Bolton v Wigton game.

Aspatria’s start to the game was not part of the game plan.

Winger Ben Robinson was sent to the bin and Aspatria conceded the first try after the ball went wide left for a walk in at the corner.

Aspatria responded by taking the lead on 14 minutes. Bolton were penned into their 22 and, when Aspatria launched a catch and drive move from around 10 metres, it was perfectly executed and hooker Adam Cavanagh was driven over. Ryan Scott converted from the touchline.

From the restart, Aspatria lost possession and conceded a penalty which stand-off Mills put over.

Aspatria were finding it difficult to counter the sniping runs and precision passing of home scrum-half Jack Robinson.

His short inside passes to on-rushing forwards were well-timed and it was exactly this move that increased the home lead after 22 minutes.

Another Mills penalty widened the gap to 18-7 as Aspatria were starved of possession and forced to defend for long periods. They could not stem the Bolton tide with a third try coming on 29 minutes.

Aspatria came back into contention and the home defence was harassed by a continuous offensive.

Second-rower Matthew Atkinson got on the end of a forward charge on 33 minutes.

Aspatria finished the half strongly but, with the whistle about to blow, Mills was gifted a penalty and he extended the lead to 28-12.

From the restart, Bolton registered a fourth try from a move that the visitors claimed resulted from a clear obstruction of a potential tackler. The referee did not see it that way.

The Black Reds then came back into the game and began to take Bolton apart.

Back-rower Greg Dickinson made ground each time he came into possession and it was his run down the right-flank that created the space for Liam Ridley to take the final pass and cross the line with 20 minutes to play.

Bolton struck next and it was a killer blow after a quick tap penalty in the Aspatria 22 caught the defence out of position and allowed the Bolton scorer over the line without a hand laid on him.

Trailing 42-17 with around ten minutes of the game remaining, Aspatria enjoyed their best period of the match.

For the first time in the game, Bolton began to freely allow Aspatria’s big forward runners space.

Atkinson and Co were now on top and it was no surprise when they created space for Aspatria’s back line to become more prominent.

On 73 minutes, Patrick Noutch timed a run to outpace the Bolton defence and go over for the bonus-point try.

Prop Graham Andrews then bullocked over the line on 77 minutes for a fifth score.

At 42-29, Bolton were reeling and what Aspatria would have given for another ten minutes on the clock.

It’s been a great first season back in North Lancs/Cumbria for Keswick who had the pleasure of leading the table for a few weeks.

They have slipped out of contention over the last month but were able to return from Eccles with a victory to savour – their 14th from 22 games.

Only new leaders De La Salle have lost fewer games than Keswick – four as opposed to six.