Starting the game with speed and physicality, Long Eaton turned pressure into points in the first 20 minutes of the game after a charge down from Flanker and Man of the Match, Ben Taylor.

Switching off shortly after this first try, the Mighty Blues conceded a quick ten points from Ashbourne, who took advantage of Long Eaton's slack discipline for a short period.

The lead swapped hands throughout the second half of the game, however Long Eaton finished with force; a forwards try from the driving maul and a well-worked try from the backline sealed the final score, 23-14.

The win sets Long Eaton in good stead for the NLD Cup, which will run alongside the team's Midlands 2 East (North) Division league games this season. The side is set to face Matlock away next Saturday 29th September.