Both teams had already qualified for the semi-final of the Cumbria League Cup but Aspatria Rugby Club's 37-21 win over Cockermouth secured home advantage.

They are going to see plenty of each other as it is, starting on Saturday, when they meet in a vital Cumbria League clash.

The cup clash produced a feast of fast-paced, attacking rugby sandwiched in between an array of bone-crunching collisions.

Aspatria had the best of the opening few minutes as hard running from centre Andrew Miller and back-row Phil Dixon threatened to open up the home defence.

Not for the first time this season, though, Cockermouth’s backs-to-the-wall attitude frustrated everything that Aspatria could throw at them.

With nine minutes gone, Cockermouth not only broke the siege but, with a lighting counter-attack, took a 7-0 lead.

Possession was obtained around the halfway mark and Cockermouth attacked with pace and in numbers towards the left flank, where Ben Irving skirted the defence to dot down. Ed Gate converted.

Following the score, Aspatria resumed control and, this time, pressure on the Cockermouth line paid dividends.

Back-row Jacques Rowe seized his opportunity to slip over the line from short range on 15 minutes and Jack Clegg’s conversion brought the scores level.

Cockermouth’s time with ball in hand continued to be limited and it was no real surprise when Aspatria extended the lead on the 25-minute mark.

A line-out around six metres out was well controlled by the visitors but, instead of the usual maul to the line, Dixon looped around the back of the line and, in a pre-planned move, had number eight Gary Hodgson alongside to take the pass and crash through the last defender. Clegg converted.

Minutes later, Clegg landed a long-range penalty to extend the advantage to 10 points.

With only a couple of minutes of the half remaining, Cockermouth paid the price for a poor clearing kick from defence. The ball failed to locate touch but did find Aspatria full-back Lee Tinnion.

The whole of the Cockermouth defence was in front of Tinnion but his pace took him a full 40 metres down the left wing without a hand being laid on him to give the visitors a 22-7 half-time edge.

The second half started well for Cockermouth as they began to obtain a higher share of possession and used it intelligently to peg back Aspatria in their half.

The hard work was rewarded on 55 minutes when centre Jonny Ostle received the ball in the 22 and wrong-footed the Aspatria defence to go over, with Gate converting.

Cockermouth looked to be back in the game but disaster struck almost immediately.

In possession inside their half, they tried to force the game with a pass that was never really on. Clegg was alert to the opportunity and intercepted to go 40 metres and score.

Attacks at both ends of the field went close but it was Aspatria who struck next to end Cockermouth hopes.

Aspatria’s pack had possession near the try-line and, once again, controlled the ball with pick and go tactics that each time narrowed the Cockermouth defensive line.

When the ball finally went wide, the visitors had an overlap on the right flank where winger Grant Bethwaite waited to stroll over the line.

On 70 minutes, Cockermouth showed spirit to go over for a third try. A speculative kick upfield initially appeared to pose little danger for the Black Reds but the Cockermouth chase was excellent and managed to trap Aspatria against the try line.

Possession was turned over and powerful work by the home forwards secured a gap for Guy Jeffrey to crash over to reduce the arrears to 34-21.

That completed the try-scoring for the day but there was still time for Clegg to add a second penalty for Aspatria.

In County Courier Services League Division Two North, Keswick A scored a fine 40-0 win against their Southport counterparts.

Although Southport were six points ahead in the league table and had won the match at their ground in September, Keswick had two games in hand and were an improved side.

Paul Ireland slotted an early penalty as Keswick spent much of the first quarter in the Southport half and he soon doubled the lead with a second penalty.

As half-time approached, Keswick put together an attack that crossed the field in the opposition 22 four times before Daniel Allaker forced his way over for an unconverted try. Ireland then added a third penalty for a 14-0 interval lead.

On 50 minutes, from a line-out at halfway, Keswick ran the ball and, from the third phase, Danny Price burst through a couple of tackles before evading the chasing defenders to score a try which Ireland converted,

Then, from a five-metre scrum, Keswick attacked through the middle for Josh Dare to score by the posts, again converted by Ireland.

Five minutes from time, a line-out was won against the throw by Keswick and the ball run infield where, from the breakdown, Price again found his way through the defence to touch down under the posts. Ireland again providing the extras.

Keswick’s final try came from James Sant who was on the receiving end of the last pass but Ireland’s conversion attempt came back off the upright.