Carlisle's game against Fleetwood washed out - but they now need just one win to claim the North Lancs Cumbria title

The scoreline at Bower Park, where Aspatria only beat De La Salle 13-10, was the perfect result for Carlisle who have been cruising towards the championship for several weeks.

It could be mathematically certain this weekend when Carlisle host Trafford as they need only another win from their remaining three games and that should be a formality.

At the other end of the table, Workington agonisingly missed out on what would have been an astonishing great escape as they went down fighting 34-29 to Bolton in a thrilling encounter at The Ellis.

Their relegation already confirmed, the Zebras are making the most of their remaining time in North Lancs Cumbria and after conceding 99 points to De La Salle last week, they performed admirably against a side that had thrashed them 94-0 last September.

It was Bolton who struck first after only four minutes with an unconverted try and, within 25 minutes, they had scored two more tries (one converted) and a penalty to go 20-0 up.

Workington had made several impressive strides into their opponents’ half – especially from Bede O’Connor and Ross Cape – but were let down several clumsy handling mistakes as well as being up against a staunch Bolton defence.

Another converted try on 34 minutes put Bolton 27-0 ahead as well as sealing a bonus point at the very least and it looked as though another demolition job was on the cards.

But the Zebras got their act together and, three minutes later, O’Connor produced a scintillating run before he found Shaun Murphy, who effortlessly broke clear to score an unconverted try.

Three minutes into the second half, it got better for Workington as Matt Gorley caught Bolton off guard to storm under the posts and set up an easy conversion for Sam Robinson.

Workington were now in the ascendancy as O’ Connor, Cape, Gorley, Murphy and Scott Campbell all gave Bolton cause for concern.

On the hour, it paid off when O’Connor and Lawson combined to set up Murphy, who ghosted his way through to touch down for his second try of the match. Robinson again converted to reduce the arrears to just eight points.

Bolton had been well and truly on the ropes – if not quite taking the count – but they managed to refocus on 65 minutes and scored their fifth try, which was converted.

Workington simply refused to buckle and, three minutes later, got back into the game when Cape produced a dazzling run before offloading to Campbell who nipped in unchallenged to give the Zebras their own bonus point.

Once again, Robinson converted and four minutes later, he coolly executed a high stakes penalty to bring the deficit to five points and herald a grandstand finish.

Bolton thought they’d settled it a minute from time, but their try was chalked off due to an infringement.

Workington threw everything in their quest to deliver the ultimate smash and grab, but Bolton held their nerve and the sheer relief on the players’ faces when the final whistle arrived was clearly visible.

Wigton’s disappointing finish to the season continued at Droylsden where they went down 26-17.

A poor first half was to cost Wigton dearly as they trailed 19-0 at the break, recovering to win the second half 17-7 but that was not enough for any reward.

Some weak tackling allowed the Aldwinians winger to run along the touch line before touching down between the posts for the lead on nine minutes.

On 17 minutes, Aldwinians doubled their lead with missed tackles, allowing the home player to run straight through the middle of the defence and to touch down beneath the posts for an easy conversion.

Aldwinians increased their lead on 27 minutes with a well-worked try in the corner after a series of quick passes along the backs.

The last few minutes of the first half saw the Wigton forwards applying some pressure on the Aldwinians line but were unable to cross.

Coach Mark Lee clearly had strong words for his side at the break because Wigton came out with all guns blazing and playing at a much quicker tempo.

Following a scrum, Stephen Harris made a superb run through the centre. The home defenders were unable to catch him and he touched down under the posts for Wigton’s first try which was converted by Ryan Clark.

Within a minute, Clark made a similar break to touch down under the posts. He converted and Wigton were back in the game only five points in arrears.

A penalty on 57 minutes gave Clark a chance to reduce the arrears even further and his kick was accurate.

Wigton were now sensing victory and a great run by Richard Moffatt brought an infringement and, with the penalty on the touch line, Wigton opted for the line-out.

The forwards gathered the ball and pushed towards the line but were held up five metres out and the chance was lost.

Another great line-out allowed Wigton to push deep into the Aldwinians half. However the referee penalised Wigton.

The hosts kicked a hopeful ball along the line which bounced in the wrong direction in front of the Wigton defenders, allowing the chasing home winger to collect and touch down for a fourth, bonus point try.

The conversion denied Wigton a losing point for the second week in a row.

The inevitable happened at Trafford, where Silloth lost 74-12 to confirm they will accompany Workington back to the Cumbria League next season.

To complete a poor day for the Cumbrian clubs, Upper Eden were thrashed 71-12 at Oldham.