Ashton were soon into their stride with a try from skipper Adam Whitworth following a charge down. The try was converted by centre Luke Berry. Both teams were unbeaten in the league and the contrasting styles of the teams made it a good game to watch. A kickable penalty was then missed by Luke Berry but Ashton were soon further ahead with a try from Dave Higgins from a well worked catch and forward drive from a lineout. The opportunity came from a penalty kick to the corner following a stupid and blatant obstruction from a Littleborough forward on full back Liam Crank – just rewards! The conversion was missed - scoreline 12-0. Ashton were soon further ahead following a brilliant solo try from man of the match Damon Wong who impressed throughout. He kicked through a loose ball from the half way line and managed to guide the ball to the try line with some tricky footwork and at the same fending over the Littleborough chasing defence for an unconverted try. The visitors fought back soon after and pressed the Ashton defence to give a neat converted try to Littleborough’s fly half to make the score 17-7. Just before the half-time break Ashton extended their lead with another catch and drive from a lineout. This time fly half Stephen Appleby emerged from the heap of bodies to claim the try. The lineout possession was good with Adam Whitworth and Gaz Price winning quality ball all afternoon.

After the turnaround Ashton’s impressive debutant powerhouse prop Conor McNicholas scored a great try by weaving his way through the Littleborough defence. Luke Berry added the conversion to make the score 29-7. The scrums became uncontested in the third quarter due to a front row injury to Littleborough and the game got a little scrappy. Ashton switched off and the visitors responded with a well worked move with good handling to put their full-back over for an unconverted try. Ashton’s frustrations continued with a yellow card for Joe Statham and handling mistakes were curtailing any momentum. Unluckily Damon Wong missed out on a second try by knocking on a kick through after another good kick and chase. A forward pass from Liam Crank was also a frustration when an overlap beckoned. Ashton did however have the last word with a simple well executed try down the right flank as scrum half Joel Dore put winger Max Short into space and he was able to sprint to the corner for an unconverted try. There was still time in the game for Littleborough to eventually get a yellow card for a high tackle. Final score Ashton 34 Littleborough 12.

At times Ashton’s performance was patchy but overall a very satisfying win. As this was a double header Ashton are also through to the next round of the cup and have been drawn away to Wilmslow 3s on the 14th October. Next week Ashton play at Broughton Park 4s (kick off 3pm).