Egremont and Aspatria produced a match on Friday night at Bower Park which was a credit to Cumbria League Two rugby.

The only time that there was no action on the pitch was just before the kick-off, when both teams immaculately observed a Remembrance Day silence.

As soon as the whistle sounded for the start of the match, however, the action came thick and fast with each side contributing fully to a highly entertaining game.

Egremont made by far the better start and, with their pacy backs settling into an excellent rhythm, the Bleach Green side carved out a 13-0 lead.

This came through a darting individual try from scrum-half Jack Thompson and three kicks from the huge boot of debutant full back Brad Jackson.

Jackson has joined the club recently after playing rugby league for Askam.

He has a rugby pedigree but mainly in league, with his father Wayne also playing for Askam and Barrow Raiders.

And his grandfather Dennis ‘Stonewall’ Jackson will be remembered for his time at both Barrow and Whitehaven.

Aspatria finally responded with a crucial score on the half time whistle which gave the home team renewed confidence as they trailed 7-13 at the break. As soon as the game restarted, it quickly became clear that the Aspatria coaching staff had altered tactics as their bigger, well-drilled forwards took control with a series of driving mauls and lineouts which Egremont struggled to contain.

Three tries followed over the next 20 minutes to give the Black/Reds a commanding 22-13 lead that had never seemed likely earlier in the match.

However, to their credit Egremont gained a foothold in the Aspatria half by quickly moving the ball away from the forward battle whenever possible and a period of sustained pressure led to a converted try to bring them right back into this enthralling contest.

With the home side clearly feeling the effects of such a fast-paced game, Egremont could have snatched a result in the latter stages but Aspatria clung on and deservedly took maximum points from this excellent match.

Egremont firsts are back into action at Millom this coming Saturday, whilst the seconds have a home fixture at Bleach Green against Carlisle Hornets. Both games kick-off at 2.15pm.