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Knowing
that a win would almost certainly put Widnes Moorfield out of the
promotion race, coach Steve Jones (Arker) asked an under strength
Ashton side, missing several key players, to stand up and be counted.
This is exactly what happened; to a man they would not let the physical
home side dominate them.
Ashton
couldn’t have wished for a better start, a smart bit of work between
the three prominent players on show, saw Peter Shaw break and off load
to Dave Picton who coolly drew the defence before putting none stop
Matty Melling through a massive gap in the home defence. As would be
expected Moorfield hit back to score two unconverted tries, before
Matty Melling slotted over a penalty to level the scores at half time.
Ashton were now facing a strong wind and driving rain in the second
half, however it didn’t dampen their resolve and with powerful games
from Scott Hughes, Keiron Spruce, Brent Knox and Phil Collier in the
forwards the game was starting to turn Ashton’s way. Ashton were
denied a try when Dave Picton dribbled the ball over line but was
deemed to short of the line, but this seemed to lift the lads and when
Kevin Howells took the ball at first receiver he powered his way over
from fifteen yards out. This was the spur Ashton needed and deserved
and when high speculative kick from Matty Melling hung in the wind,
Wanye Hasleden superbly took the ball and drove it to the heart of the
defence before offloading to Alex Peet, who also made valuable ground
before slipping the ball to Man of the Match Dave Picton who finished
in style. Ashton virtually wrapped the game up when, in their next
attack, Matty Meeling took a one pointer to put the Bears three scores
in front. Moorfield scored a late consolation try, but the spoils and
two valuable promotion points went to the Bears.
Ashton
tries - Matty Melling, Dave Picton, Kevin Howells
Ashton
Goals - Matty Melling 4
Ashton
Drop Goal - Matty Melling
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