Aspatria came out on top, winning 17-8 against Keswick in a much-anticipated clash between the league’s top two sides.

Keswick started the day two points ahead of the Black Reds but the home side’s win reversed the positions in a clash that did not disappoint.

This was a game of true intensity and, at times, of the highest quality.

Bower Park escaped the overnight frost and was perfect for a fast-flowing game and that is precisely what Aspatria and Keswick delivered for a large, enthusiastic crowd.

With their first taste of possession, each side showed a clear intention to play a fast-paced game. Ball in hand, the opposing back divisions looked highly dangerous.

But the quality of the attacks was equally matched by uncompromising defending with bone-shuddering tackles featuring heavily.

The sides alternated possession and attacking positions for the opening 10 minutes.

Then, Keswick got a foothold in the Aspatria 22 and tried a few training ground moves to unlock the home defence. But nothing worked and they settled for an Andy Muir penalty to take the lead.

Both teams went close to scoring tries. Keswick’s threat was snuffed out by Aspatria’s hardworking back-row forwards, Jacques Rowe and Greg Dickinson.

With the ball turned over, it was Aspatria’s chance to launch an attack from deep and Lee Tinnion almost rounded the last-ditch tackle but a foot slipped into touch and Keswick were off the hook.

Aspatria went close with a series of pick and go tactics but the momentum was brought to a shuddering halt by an outstanding tackle from Keswick’s Carrick Wharmby, which turned over the ball.

Wharmby’s work released the immediate pressure but Aspatria were soon back on the offensive.

The powerful running of Aspatria’s big men Tinnion and Greg Dickinson was clearly having an effect but, by far, the biggest threat to Keswick’s slim lead was Matthew Atkinson.

The breakthrough score for Aspatria came in the 33rd minute. Aspatria’s forwards worked the ball down the right flank in a tight formation, sucking defenders out of position.

At precisely the right moment, the ball was released to the backline where stand-off Josh Watson and his troops put pace on the ball to zing it out to waiting left wing Paddy Noutch.

Noutch had the room and the guile to wrong foot his opposite number and go over in the corner. Andrew Miller missed the wide out conversion but the try allowed Aspatria to take a 5-3 advantage into the break.

As the second half opened, there was nothing between the teams.

This was still a game that could go either way. As play resumed, it became clear that Aspatria had used the break to revue tactics. The orders were to use the battering ram forwards.

With only three minutes gone, Aspatria were in the Keswick 22 and mounted a rolling maul that marched Keswick back to the try line, where hooker James Ravell touched down. Miller’s kick was good.

Keswick were on the ropes but somehow mustered a defence, sufficient to hold the rampaging Black Reds at bay.

They came close to folding on 54 minutes after a Keswick defender was judged to have deliberately knocked on when attempting an interception and was yellow carded. From the line-out, a good rolling maul was disrupted and possession changed hands again.

The home forwards were back on the Keswick line in the 59th minute. They did the hard work but scrum-half Jason Ward got the glory with a snappy dart, getting him close enough to the line to stretch over and score. The conversion was missed.

Keswick responded with a good 20-metre rolling maul, collapsed by Aspatria 15 metres from their own line and they were lucky only to be sanctioned with a penalty.

The last 20 minutes of the game was all Keswick’s with desperate defence by Aspatria costing them a yellow card and Keswick were stopped just short on a number of occasions.

They finally crossed the line but adjudged not to have been able to touch the ball down.

Another yellow card for Aspatria with 30 minutes gone in the second half was followed by a good run through the backs for Michael Bunting to score on the left.

At 17-8, a conversion would have given Keswick a losing bonus but it was not to be as the ball went wide.

Despite further pressure, Keswick were unable to score again and a relieving kick to touch gave the game and the points to Aspatria.

On balance they deserved the win, though the try tally of 3-1 flattered the home side and the fact that at one stage they were reduced to 13 players is a good indication of the pressure they were under.

With four games lost to the weather on the day, the result lifts Aspatria to top spot, and Keswick drop to second.

Next Saturday will see Keswick at home to fourth-placed Oldham, while Aspatria are away to Bolton who secured a good win against Tarleton.