THE return of Harry Ralston after a long injury lay off brightened the gloom on an overcast day at Underley Park on Saturday.

And he helped Kirkby Lonsdale get back on the winning trail as they eased into the Cumbria County Cup final with a 46-10 win over Aspatria.

With influential skipper Dave Barton also back in the ranks, a Kirkby side which was a mix of development squad and first XV players soon imposed themselves on a spirited visiting side.

Full back Chris Ramwell grabbed the first try but Aspatria hit back with penalty before Jack Walker extended the home lead, touching down after the forwards muscled over the line.

The lead was extended by Ben Walker from a typically sniping run to the line, and a further try from centre Ryan Terry who burst through out wide gave Kirkby a handsome 22-3 half time lead.

The second half brought little respite for the visitors as Kirkby left wing Harry Huddleston flew in for try five, and Terry grabbed his second try before the visitors finally crossed the whitewash with a long distance jinking run from their full back which ended under the posts.

But the home side reimposed their authority with another try before proceedings were rounded off when the excellent Alex Rogers scored to set the seal on a convincing victory which books Town a final spot against Carlisle with date and venue to be announced.