Ashton see off local rivals Oldham

Oldham welcomed local rivals Ashton to Manor Park for Saturday’s fixture which was also the clubs Annual Reunion day. 

With a large crowd of ex-players and members the sun was out and the pitch was in excellent condition which boded for a day of quick paced rugby.

A minute silence was held before the game for those that had passed away since the last Reunion in March 2025, (Danny Hill, Shaun Rattigan, John Peace, Alan Taylor, Geoff Heptonstall, Alan Hartley SNR, Peter Hughes, Gary Walling, Haydn Mason, Jarrod Hooley, Peter Shaw, Dave Cassels, Les Jones, Ginnie Alexander, Ronnie Walton) with the 2nd XV and their opponents East Manchester taking part on the 1st team pitch.

Oldham were quick out of the blocks and took the lead within three minutes following some excellent quick ball with Louis Fitton beating and carrying a couple players over to get the home side on the board.

Ashton however fired straight back as they looked to play wide and made a break down the left hand side with quick ball to score through their left wing. 

With the conversion made Ashton took a 7-5 lead and soon after went 12-5 up with a carbon copy attack outnumbering Oldham out wide.

The home team answered back through Tom Jowle following good all round play off the back of carries from Dobbs and Froggatt to bring the home team back into it at 12-10.

Alex Jobson then kicked a penalty following an Ashton transgression to take the home side back into the lead at 13-12 with the match evenly in the melting pot for either side to take advantage.

Oldham had a number of attacks when in possession but didn’t take care of the ball, often being turned over which cost them dearly as opportunity after opportunity went by.

In the second half Oldham came out strongly and again had efforts with scoring opportunities that weren’t taken. 

Ashton lengthened their lead with two further tries and a penalty to take a big lead at 26-13.

Oldham’s defence was being picked apart at will and Ashton took full advantage going wide at every opportunity. 

The away side were clinical with their chances whereas the home side continued to cough up possession and looked inept in their decision making.

However Tom Jowle again got Oldham back in the game with a crucial score with 15 minutes to go. 

Jobson adding a conversion there was still a way back for Oldham at 26-20.

The visitors however had other ideas and notched up another try to all but take the chance of a comeback away from Oldham. With time ebbing away they took a 31-20 lead.

The home side did however not lie down and had good possession on the Ashton line, but on too many occasions kicked the ball away or made costly errors when all they needed to do was continue to keep the ball and keep it tight.

Reece Blakeley added a try with a minute left to bring Oldham to within a score at 31-25. 

With one final attack from the kick off Karl Shenton made a break, carrying around 50 metres beating a number of Ashton defenders. 

However Oldham could not get players to him quick enough to capitalise on it. 

With it came the end of any hopes of a last minute victory and the ref blew full time with Ashton taking the win 31-25.