The seconds were let down v Toc H , not the way we would have liked to keep top of the table, a win v Spartans 2s on Sat can virtually seal the league.
A rare trip to Clitheroe for me , the last time was with Mark Grayson as Coach.
Clitheroe only have the one pitch and too our suprise their seconds were entertaining Vale 4ths on it until after 3pm, good game to watch though 27 all with a late home comeback.
The hosts kicked of at 3.20 pm downhill with a nippy wind at their backs and set their stall out with their well executed driving mauls. It was Ashton who were to drive over first with Jon Lee at the bottom of it coming out with the try on 3mins. Straight down the other end and the hosts big forwards drove us through the mud to equalise in a well worked move 5-5 on 5 mins.

Ashton had Louis in at 10 and Wayne and Pat outside him with Gadget and Fish on the wings with Costy at full back combining with the forwards to be resoltue in defence. Jon Lee stormed over from 30m out to retake the lead on 28 mins unconverted. Indicipline lead to two home pens in front of the posts one going in off the upright for 11-10 HT , not before Ashton had to defend with their lives and not for the first time in the match.
Kev Williams rallied the lads and playing with the elements second half Ashton looked a better team, Ricky Curtis and latterly young Mez were all needed and proved vital to the effort with numerous knocks for the stand in Physio/linesman to deal with.
The forwards were working well as a team Farquhar and Conan were busy and Bish kept going like a trooper.
On the hour some good handling down the blind on the far touchline saw Neil Oldham dive gracefully over for what proved the winning try, but it was a team winning performance no doubt.
Clitheroe upped the aggression but illegally as their player coach punched Bish in front of the ref for a straight red with five to go, Bish was yellowed for his reaction, as both teams were reduced to14 for the rest of the game.
Ashton had to do some heroic defending against a 10 plus man driving maul from a lineout in the last minute leaving players from both teams strewn across the pitch having given their all, but the lads held out for a fantastic win, well done to all involved. North Manchester away next Sat and hopefully a win will give us a shot at the Cup semi Finals.
The seconds can virtually wrap up the league with a win away at Spartans 2s.