Blackburn 32 Aspatria 10

BLACKBURN turned on the style with a splendid second half show against determined Cumbrian opponents Aspatria to register another crucial victory.

‘Burn held a slender three points advantage at the interval, after going behind early on, but they piled on 22 points in the second period to keep top dogs Leigh firmly in their sights in the frantic race for the Lancashire and Cumbria title.

Much of the opening play saw Burn in Aspatria’s half, however the visitors held off the home pressure and broke out on twelve minutes to score and take the lead, with the conversion also successful.

That sparked Blackburn into action, and they hit back with a try and a conversion, kicked over by Sam Morgan.

Anton Garcia began the move, ripping control of the ball outside the visitors’ 22, with Sean Hall and Matt Hughes both involved before Craig Aikman ran on to touch down.

Blackburn finally forged ahead just before half-time, Morgan firing over a penalty kick.

Aspatria suffered an early blow in the second half when they had a man sin binned early on for an illegal tackle, but the pivotal moment in the game arrived shortly afterwards when Jordan Pearson went over for another home try.

Morgan kicked the conversion to extend their lead to 17-7, and although Aspatria narrowed the deficit with a penalty shortly afterwards, Blackburn then took firm control.

They stretched their lead again with another try on 52 minutes, Hughes again involved in the build-up, providing the ammunition for Pearson who barged through two tacklers to score.

The Blackburn support didn’t have to wait long to see their team’s fourth try and, crucially, the bonus point was banked. It was just reward for Blackburn’s forwards who had worked so hard, and this time it was it was Pearson who turned provider for Ali Reay who sent Nathan Sewell on to score.

Sam Morgan missed the conversion, but seven minutes from time Blackburn scored again.

‘Burn stole a line out five metres from the Aspatria line, the forwards drove on over the line with Sewell at the bottom of the pile to claim his second try.

“It was a crucial win, and we’ve a real chance to win the title,” said a Burn spokesman.

Blackburn now host Northwich in the Intermediate Cup.