Having lost the toss Garstang had to play the first half of the game into a stiff breeze. As a result Ashton were able to kick the ball deep into the corners and gain early territorial advantage. However, Garstang’s forwards were winning more than their fair share of possession and they were able to limit Ashton’s attacking possibilities.
With 15 minutes played slack defence allowed Ashton to score a try, the first Garstang have conceded in 7 weeks, and take a 7-0 lead.
Garstang came back at their opponents with some intelligent, controlled play and they were able to gain a penalty deep in Ashton’s half. The ball was kicked to the corner for a lineout which broke down when a Garstang forward knocked on. From the resultant scrum the ball shot out of the back and Paul Brown was first to react and touch the ball down to score an unlikely try. The conversion fell short but Garstang were back in game with just a two point deficit. With the momentum behind them Garstang continued to press and they were rewarded when they won a penalty midway in the oppositions half. Garstang elected to kick for goal and Neil Lathom slotted an impressive kick to give them a slender 8-7 lead.
With half time looming Garstang were hit with a double blow. First of all, Jimmy Richardson was badly injured with a damaged ribcage and he had to leave the field for treatment, before being eventually replaced by Duncan Lambert. Secondly, Ashton were able to get a crucial score which they also converted to take a 14-8 lead into the break.
At the start of the second half tempers began to fray and within minutes of the restart Ben Greenwood received a yellow card and had to spend ten minutes in the sin bin. Garstang defended resolutely during this period but, all of a sudden, they were second best and Ashton eventually stretched the defence to score their third try of the afternoon (21-8).
Garstang started to lose their concentration and discipline and Ashton capitalised on this by scoring a fourth try. All of a sudden a close competitive game had got away from Garstang and they were staring at a big defeat.
It would have been easy to lie down and take the defeat but this Garstang side is made of sterner stuff than that and they began applying real pressure on the Ashton defence. This eventually told when Ashton had a man sent to the sin bin for persistent infringements. However, the Ashton defensive work was outstanding and they repelled Garstang attacks time and time again.
With time running out Lee Waddell took a tap penalty from close rang to squeeze over under the posts. Mark Gorst clipped the conversion over to give Garstang a glimmer of hope (26-15).
With time almost up Garstang replaced Ben Whittingham with Dan Marland. Garstang finished the game on the offensive but Ashton held out to claim a hard earned victory.
Lee Waddell won the Man of the Match award with a solid performance which also saw him score Garstang’s second try. Captain's verdict: Our concentration and discipline in the middle third of the game cost us dear. During this period we conceded 19 unanswered points and that is where the game was lost. It is important that we learn from this and do not repeat the mistake in the challenges ahead. - On Saturday 28 October Garstang play in the EDF Energy Junior Vase. The game is at home against Mossley Hill A.C., KO 15:00. The Blues are also in action in the Halbro Plate, they are playing Widnes 3rds at Garstang High School, KO 15:00.
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