ASPATRIA SEAL THE TREBLE – WHAT A YEAR FOR THE U14s

Aspatria Hornets U14s added the Top 4 Grand Final to their list of achievements in 2026 with a narrow victory over a tough Wath Brow side on Friday evening. In a game which had both sets of fans on the edges of their proverbial seats, it was Aspatria who did just enough to prevail, 16-10.

The game was due to be played at the end of October, but the severe winds meant that the game was cancelled. At the request of the Aspatria club, the game was played under floodlights at Wath Brow so as to minimise disruption to scheduled football and rugby union fixtures. The decision was vindicated as a very large and vocal crowd gathered at Giel Park to watch 2 excellent teams fight it out.

The game itself was played in a great spirit but the physical aspect of this would not have showed this. Both teams gave their all and the Cleator Moor men opened the scoring out wide after a sustained period of pressure on the Aspatria line. The conversion hit the crossbar and went over to give the Brow a 6-0 lead. Aspatria knew they would have to weather the storm and they dug in and managed to equalise the scores when Aiden Nicholson, playing in the centre instead of his usual second row slot, got over for Aspatria’s first try of the evening/ The reliable George Woodcock slotted the conversion to level the scores. The game continues to ebb and flow and both sides were agonisingly close to making some clean breaks but determined defence snuffed out these chances.

Aspatria snuck into the lead before half time when William Beverley streaked over for a trademark try. Woodcock was just off target. This made the half-time score 10-6 to Aspatria.

The second half continued in the same vein with both sides giving everything. The collisions all over the park were full-bloodied and it was clear neither team would let anything slip but it was Brow who broke the deadlock. After a tricky kick was not dealt with by Aspatria, the Brow player was first to react and dot down, much to the delight of the home crowd. The conversion was missed from wide out. The scores were locked up at 10 all.

The final quarter of the game was nail-biting stuff with neither side managing to gain the upper hand. Defences were certainly on top and both packs battling for dominance. When Golden Point was starting to look like a possibility, Aspatria strung together a nice passage of play which moved the ball well. On the end of this was Beverley who, again, scythed through and scored a vital try. Woodcock made no mistake with the conversion. Aspatria led 16-10.

Brow threw everything at the Hornets line in the remaining few minutes and peppered out left wing with some testing kicks but Charlie Robinson, who was impressive on the wing all evening alongside his fellow winger Oliphant, dealt with the threat.

When referee, Mr Byers, blew to signal full time, there was a sense of relief and jubilation from the Aspatria player, staff and fans. In an added bonus, Hornets loose-forward, Anthony Hamilton, was named the Man of the Match by the League Management in attendance.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the team in 2026 and to Wath Brow for their hospitality and sportsmanship after the game.