ANOTHER gritty display from Ashton on Mersey's forward pack ensured the took the points from a tough clash with Liverpool Collegiate.

A poor Ashton kick off somehow broke free with a curious bounce in the Liverpool 22 which Ashton centre Ian Teasdale swept up to race through and touch down.

Ashton then stole a lineout in the opposition 22 and it looked as if the game was going to be all one-way traffic.

But then Liverpool latched on to a mistake in the Ashton backline and created the pressure for a converted penalty.

Ashton responded with pressure of their own and got the ball to Jon Hilton on the right wing who brushed off four or five unconvincing tacklers to touchdown.

It should have been game over,but nearly every time Liverpool countered they managed to get penalties and points off a somewhat indisciplined Ashton defence.

Nevertheless just before half time Richard Bibby at full back hit an up and under which eventually brought a maul for Ashton from which flanker Dan O'Driscoll touched down.

These were Ashton's last points of the game and in the second half Liverpool brought the score back to 17-19.
Their total included a spectacular try from the fastest fullback in the league who, his team having pulled the Ashton defence over to the left flank, tore down the right to benefit from a clever switch in play and received the ball to touchdown.

The last 10 minutes were desperate for a 14-man Ashton but the forwards were outstanding in containing play within the Liverpool 10-yard line and were unlucky not to add to their score.