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Ashton
Bears kicked off their second season in the North West Counties Premier
Division with a home match against Bank Quay Bulls, fielding a very
young and inexperienced team and although they lost narrowly 22-28,
they came off with their heads held high after a real gutsy
performance.
After the early exchanges it was Ashton who took the lead when the
impressive Andy Ball, playing his first open age match, hit a towering
up and under and when the ball was spilled it was captain Peter Shaw
who was there to pick up the loose ball to score. The try lifted
Ashton’s spirit and after a bout of sustained pressure Peter Shaw
made a superb break and man of the match, Chris Rothwell was on hand to
receive the ball to score. The Bulls hit back with a converted try,
however just before half time a wonderful cut out pass from Andy Ball
found Steven Naylor running at pace to out stripped the defence to
score. Andy Ball converted.
The Bulls started strongly in the second half, scoring three converted
tries in the first fifteen minutes and just when they looked like they
might take control up stepped Steven Naylor with an interception and an
eighty yard run to score. Ashton tried their best to get back on terms
but it was the Bulls who scored next. Ashton kept plugging away and
late on after keeping the ball alive it was left to Caine Thompson to
go over. The coaches will be buoyed with the splendid effort from the
lads.
Tries --
Peter Shaw
Steven Naylor (2)
Chris Rothwell
Caine Thompson
Goal --
Andy Ball
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