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Ashton
Bears will take on premiership side Bank Quay Bulls in their first
Lancashire Cup Final on December 27th. Ashton have defeated
premiership opponents twice in the competition already. However,
the Bears go into the game as underdogs, as Bank Quay currently sit top
of the Premier division, two points ahead of Blackbrook.
Whatever
the result, Ashton have created a new chapter in their history by
making it through to the final of the prestigious Lancashire Cup, and
this shows how far Ashton have come as a club since they were formed
back in 1996.
Not
bad for a pub team.
Preview
includes - current league standings (Correct w/c 17th Dec), form,
Ashton route to the final, sponsors, words from players, web links
This
season...
P W D
L F
A P
Bank
Quay Bulls
9 9 0
0 310
82 18
Ashton
Bears
9 7
1 1
298 88
15
Last
three games…
Bank
Quay Bulls
W
W
W
Ashton
Bears
W
L
D
Ashton’s
Route to the final
PRELIMINARY ROUND…
Ashton
were drawn against Cherry Tree in the preliminary round, a game which
Cherry Tree conceded.
What
it meant – Ashton go through, Cherry Tree conceded.
FIRST ROUND…
In
the first round, Ashton faced a visit from premiership outfit Rylands.
Luckily the Bears had carried their undefeated league form into this
game and ran out 20-18 winners. Ashton’s tries came from Andy Bailey
and Steven Naylor in the first half to give the Bears a 12-10 half time
lead despite conceding the first try. In the second half, Phil Collier
scored the all-important try in the dying seconds, while the boot of
Matty Melling ensured Ashton ran out 20-18 winners. Dave Picton was the
deserved man of the match, running tirelessly all afternoon, and having
a hand in all three Ashton tries.
What
it meant – Ashton through to quarter-final, Ashton Bears 20-18
Rylands.
QUARTER FINAL…
Ashton’s
cup draw was to get no easier however, being drawn against division one
rivals Halton Farnworth in the quarter final. The Bears went through
with a clean sheet however, defeating Halton 52-0 at Bear Park. Steven
Naylor grabbed a hat-trick, while Peter Shaw increased his tally with a
brace. Phil Collier and Andy Bailey also went over for the Bears, while
Dave Picton and David Hughes completed the scoring. Fullback Matty
Melling was outstanding at fullback, bagging 8 conversions.
What
it meant – Ashton through to semi-final, Ashton Bears 52-0 Halton
Farnworth.
SEMI FINAL…
Ashton
were through then to the semi-final and faced their toughest opponents
yet in local rivals Wigan St Cuthberts. The game was, as expected, a
tight affair given the intense rivalry and the prospect for the
winners. Ashton were underdogs in this semi-final given the high flying
Cuthbert’s playing so well in the Premiership. Ashton delivered the
goods however infront of a crowd of around 400 people at Bear Park.
David Hughes scored Ashton’s first try but Cuthbert’s hit back
following an Ashton sinbin. Steven Naylor raced in at the corner and
Ashton led 12-10 at half time. Ashton’s Ste Smith went over in the
second half but Cuthbert’s hit back after being awarded a
controversial penalty try. Ashton’s resolve and belief were enough to
see them through with Steven Naylor grabbing his second under the
posts. Matty Melling was impeccable with the boot, converting all 5
goals, while Stuart Millett added a drop goal.
What
it meant – Ashton through to final, Ashton Bears 25-20 Wigan St
Cuthberts.
A FEW
WORDS FROM...
Andy
Bailey (Captain)
Hello
to all those associated with Ashton Bears ARLFC. I would like to
start by wishing all the fans, committee members, coaches and players a
very merry but sober Christmas and a very happy and not so sober new
year.
As
you all know the Lancashire cup is rapidly approaching and is
something the players and coaching staff are really looking forward
too. The Lancashire cup final is a prestigious event and is the one
most rugby players want to be involved with so its with great honour
and pride that I will lead this fantastic side out on the 27th Dec 07.
I
would like to finish by thanking the committee for everything they have
done leading up this final and giving us the best possible chance of
coming away with the spoils I also hope anyone who attends this final
have a great day and gets behind the team
So
until the 27th I’ll be seeing you, BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yours
hopefully
chooch.x
SPONSORS
Ashton
are well supported by a number of local businesses and we are a proud
to be associated with such businesses - Five Star Bakery, J J Knox,
Sportsline, Bryn Motor Company, along with Hatton’s Travel, Ashland
building company and local rivals Wigan St Jude’s. Furthermore, we
have associated sponsorship with the Garswood Hall Bowling Club, Garswood Trophies,
Sundial sunbeds, Alan Jones Funeral Directors and Ashton tyres.
We would all like to wholeheartedly thank all the
businesses and organisations that have backed us.
ON
THE WEB
Links
to Lancashire cup previews online...
RFL
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