Despite the poor conditions with incessant rain throughout the game Ashton played all the positive rugby and were worthy winners.This was a new start with a new captain and vice captain, Adam Whitworth and Liam Crank respectively, and both had a busy and proactive afternoon. In teeming rain Ashton took the lead, after 9 mins,with an unconverted try from scrum half Liam Crank after good work off the back of the scrum from No 8 Dave Higgins. Ashton continued to press and scored a second unconverted try from the impressive Dave Higgins after 20 mins. Ashton continued to dominate and after a great break from centre Jon Hilton, Dave Higgins added a second try to make the score 17-0 after 30 mins. A second unconverted try from Jon Hilton followed from a tap penalty from the half way line just before half time. With better finishing Ashton could have scored at least two more ries. Half time score 22-0.

The first part of the second half was a scrappy affair with Oldham camped in their own half but frustrating Ashton’s aspirations for open rugby. However after 42 mins the home side were awarded a penalty try after a blatant trip from the defence in continued attack from the home team. The penalty try was converted by Liam Crank to make the score 29-0. The rest of the second half continued to be scrappy but Ashton continued to dominate with a second try from Jon Hilton, converted by Liam Crank, after great work from centre Matt Gingell. To their credit Oldham continued to compete in defence but two late tries were added by full back Joe Statham and skipper Adam Whitworth to make the final score 46-0.

A thoroughly satisfying win in very wet conditions. “Today we played like a team and we were rewarded. We competed well in the rucks but we need to look ahead to more challenges in defence” said skipper Adam Whitworth.

Overall a good start with good a team performance with stand out performances from Joe Statham, Jon Hilton, Dave Higgins and Man of the Match Matt Gingell. A special mention too for evergreen Stephen Appleby, remarkably starting his 27th season as a first team player,