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Ashton RUFC 24-8 Old Bedians

24/ 9/2008

FOLLOWING two wins from their opening cup matches, Ashton began the league season with an excellent victory over well fancied opposition.

The win was achieved off the back of an outstanding display from the forwards who completely outplayed their opponents in both loose and set play.

Following Jon Farrell’s early penalty, it was Old Bedians who edged ahead with a well taken try.

That spurred on the home side though and they began to impose themselves as two penalties put them back in front.

The game swung Ashton’s way with two tries either side of half-time, both of them superb forward drives following dominant lineout work.

The first, finished by Martin Lowe, had seen the forwards drive a maul 30 metres to the line, and when Dale Roberts finished a similar move, Ashton were 21-8 ahead with half-an-hour remaining.

Although Old Bedians maintained a strong challenge, the Ashton defence was never seriously threatened and Gareth Blomeley’s work in providing regular turnover ball was a feature of their performance.

As frustration set in, the visitors began to lose their discipline and allowed Farrell to kick his fourth penalty of the day, taking his personal tally to 14 points.

This was a most encourgaing start to the new season which, if maintained, should make Ashton competitive with any of their opponents.

This Saturday sees Ashton travel to Birchfield, while the Mashers have a home fixture against Sedgley Park following their defeat of Dukinfield at the weekend.