Askam v Thornhill

ASKAM came back down to earth with a bang following their 38-0 opening day win at Leigh East as they crashed to a 33-10 home defeat at the hands of Thornhill.

In heavy conditions Askam had no answer to a brilliant Thornhill side who were on top in all departments with their free-flowing rugby and they were also sound in defence.

The visitors will be disappointed that they let in two tries as their covering defence worked overtime to keep the Villagers at bay.

The home side trailed 20-0 at the break before hitting back with a converted try within four minutes of the re-start to give them some hope.

However, another quick touchdown was required to stage a comeback but after sustained pressure Askam came away with nothing.

Thornhill put their first points on the board on eleven minutes when swift handling saw winger Jack Gledhill sweep in at the corner.

Four minutes later hard-working hooker Luke Haigh put in a kick to the home line, the ball came off a defender allowing Ryan Fenton to swoop and score, George Woodcock adding the goal.

Askam did manage to get into Thornhill territory with Tom Wilkinson heading for the line only for the tackle count to run out.

And when Tom Hopkins was in space and going for the line he lost possession. This was one of the Villagers' failings throughout the eighty minutes as they were unable to keep control when ball was in hand.

Mark Tyson and Russ Bolton tried to weave their way through minutes later but the cover was too strong to dent. On 27 minutes the scoreline was 16-0 as again sweeping play saw Danny Ratcliffe touch down after Adam Jackson failed to gather a kick ahead. Woodcock added the goal.

Askam put a neat raid together involving Wilkinson, Jackson and Russ Bolton, only for the final pass to Tom Butler being forward.

Three minutes from half-time Jackson was the provider for Hopkins, but he lost possession with the line in sight.

Then on the stroke of half-time inspirational scrum half Danny Ratcliffe, who repeatedly tortured Askam with his intelligent kicking, put up a high ball and regathered. He then flicked out a neat pass for Jake Wilson who kicked to the corner for Gledhill to score.

Early second half pressure paid off with and the gap appeared for Kris Tyson to score and convert and make it 20-6. Was the comeback on?

From the re-start Mark Tyson made a telling break, before parting to Russ Bolton who raced upfield, but a kick to the line from Marc Dixon was forced dead. From the drop-out and on the final tackle Joe Satterthwaite put in a dangerous kick, only for Kris Tyson to knock on.

Liam Morley's response to pressure was to touch down at the other end, Ratcliffe adding the goal.

Askam hit back when Mark Tyson broke clear. He parted to the hard-working Gary Bolton and in at the corner was Dan Sayle.

Jack Wilson crossed on 65 minutes with Ratcliffe rubbing salt into the wounds with a cheeky drop-goal to compete the scoring.

MOM Tom Hopkins
Sponsors MOM Dan Sayle
Players Player Mark Tyson