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Blackpool 10 Ashton RUFC 55

19/ 3/2008

VICTORY over a doomed Blackpool side means that – barring any league revision from the RFU – Ashton will keep their place in North Lancs One for next season.

Ashton’s win means that second-bottom Windermere are no longer able to accumulate enough points to catch the Gambrel Bank men, even if they were to win all their remaining games.

Without a league win to their name this season, Blackpool were unable to get a front row together until their final prop arrived at 3.05pm, meaning the game started 40 minutes late.

However, Ashton were soon in front following some early pressure as Tom Hibbert’s tackle saw possession turned over and the ball spread left where Stuart France crossed in the corner.

Hibbert added the extra points with a terrific kick from the touchline, but the visitors then gave away a string of pointless penalties and the Seasiders finally opted for a successful kick at goal which cut into the early lead.

This served as a mental reminder for Ashton who concentrated on keeping the ball for the rest of the half, taking the lead when a quick tap penalty close to the line saw Chris Grayson put Matt Worthington over, quickly followed by a try for Neil Pearson.

After play had been held up for some time at a ruck, quick Ashton hands put Paul Emery in at the right-hand corner as the Tamesiders continued to dominate.

Just before half-time they drove their opponents back over their own line, Gareth Blomeley getting the final touchdown close enough to the posts to give Hibbert an easy conversion.

The best try of the game came minutes into the second half when clean lineout ball was moved quickly inside where Hibbert came through at pace before sidestepping two defenders for a try under the posts which he goaled.

Blomeley went over for a carbon copy of his first score, again converted by Hibbert, before Blackpool rallied and put their visitors under intense pressure which yielded a converted try.

It was their last throw of the dice though as France raced clear from the halfway line for another try, again converted by Hibbert.

There was still time for one final fling when Emery was tackled on the line, only for Ashton’s pack to offer quick support and create two forward drives, the second of which saw the ball find Emery who was not to be denied.