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Brave Ashton defence can’t hold off Broughton.

Brave Ashton defence can’t hold off Broughton.

Pat Stokes26 Sep 2016 - 17:09
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Broughton came out winners by 29-8 in this keenly contested game.

Ashton were first to score with a straightforward penalty kick 30 yards out from fly half Luke Berry. The first quarter of the game was a tight affair. The visitors were a well organised and combative side and they made life difficult for the home side. Broughton took the lead after 20 minutes with a strong break by their right winger to force his way over for a converted try - well struck by the fly half. Broughton continued to press but the Ashton defence stood firm with flanker Tom O’Driscoll outstanding. There was a welcome return for full back Elliot Ham but his game was disrupted by a shoulder injury. On the half hour mark Broughton were camped on the Ashton line and a front row forward drove over the line but somehow was held up. Ashton were hampered by some basic handling errors and Broughton were adept at the breakdown and winning a number of turnovers. They increased their lead after 35 minutes with a smart break by the impressive fly-half who duly converted his own try. Ashton responded positively and were back in the game with a breakaway try from Luke Berry who showed great strength and pace to score wide on the left for an uncoverted try. Half-time score 8-14.

The second half was a similar pattern with Ashton’s forwards defending bravely and the whole team doing its best to make in-roads into Broughton territory. Eight minutes into the second half Broughton extended their lead with an unconverted try in the corner following a quick tap penalty and a driving maul. Broughton did not have it all their own way and there were some desperate defence on their part too. The visitors were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes following a yellow card for a high tackle on winger Iain Greenfield but the home were not able to take advantage of this. Further Ashton defensive heroics followed but a penalty on 70 mins from Broughton took the game away from Ashton at 8-22. In the last minutes of the game Broughton added a fourth try after an attempted touch kick from Elliot Ham in Ashton’s deadball area was gleefully caught and grounded for a converted try to make the final score 8-29.

Man of the match Tom O'Driscoll.

Overall Broughton deserved the win although Ashton were unlucky to concede a fourth try right at the end of the game. Next week Ashton are away at Manchester 3s, kick off 3pm.

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