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Ashton 5 - 28 Heaton Moor

13/ 2/2008

ALTHOUGH Heaton Moor left Gambrel Bank as unbeaten league leaders, Ashton were far from second best for a large part of the game despite the final score.

Possession in the first half-hour was more or less even, but whereas the home side lacked any real penetration, the visitors had the confidence, organisation and creative edge to run in three converted tries.

Ashton full-back Tom Hibbert then made an excellent break from the back, shooting through a gap in midfield before kicking into the corner and applying pressure.

The visiting player duly knocked on, Ashton’s pack had their opposite numbers backpedalling at the scrum and self-belief suddenly rippled through the hosts’ ranks.

They were camped inside the Heaton Moor 22 for the remainder of the half with both Dave Stanley and Gareth Blomeley held up as they came close to a score.

An absorbing second half saw play ebb and flow with Ashton shading both possession and the territorial advantage, but it was the Stockport side which drew first blood with a terrific break out of defence which saw their scrum-half score a try under the posts.

Ashton replied in the best possible way five minutes later with a well-worked try from Simon Ramsey.

Sadly, Hibbert’s conversion attempt hit the post, and although both sides continued to press forward at every opportunity, tackles went in, defenders stood their ground, and neither team was able to add to their tally.

Ashton travel to Birchfield this weekend, and if they can field the same side and show the same spirit as they did in the last 50 minutes on Saturday, there must be at least a chance of them coming away with a result.