LUCKY 13

Some players manage to be part of a winning side without getting muddy, but it's very rare that the entire team manages that .....unless the opposition cries off.

As a wise man predicted Ashton-under-Lyne 2nd XV declined to make the trip to the Valley, handing the home team a walkover win and another five league points that maintained their 13 points lead at the top of Division 4 East.

Frustratingly it meant a rugby-free Saturday, but it may have come as a blessing in disguise, allowing several players to rest knocks ahead of a potentially tricky trip to Bury RFC (29 Jan).