AFTER last weeks dreadful performance away at Crewe and Nantwich, Ashton on Mersey Rugby Club, languishing in the basement of the league, pulled off an astonishing performance by beating Anselmians, only once beaten previously this season.

This was against all the odds, and will bring back smiles to the Ashton faithful.

Fielding no fewer than 7 of the Colts team, who have won all their league games so far, the blend was right, the enthusiasm and commitments were right, and one feels this will be the real turning point in the clubs progress.

The side also included the likes of the evergreen Eddie O'Neill and Mike McCarthy, who pulled off an amazing tackle to save a certain try,

It was obvious, right from the kick off, that the visitors' strength lay in the speed and thrust of their back division, Ikey ran the ball from nearly everywhere of the field and looked dangerous whenever in possession.

The Ashton Park, for once, had their visitors under pressure and an early try by Eddie O'Neill gave the team the perfect confidence boost.

The visitors came back steadily, and after some indifferent efforts to tackle, they scored and converted to take a 7-5 lead.

A Miles penalty gave Ashton a slender 8-7 lead into the second half.

It was 'game on' in the second half, as the light faded due to the late start, but Colts winger Karl Craven scored a try that left the defence flat footed and Mills converted.

This gave Ashton an 8 point cushion, but after a wave of attacks, Ashton defence conceded, and a converted try by Anselmians left 12 minutes for Ashton to hold out, which they did in no uncertain terms by nearly scoring again at the end.

Credit to the whole team, and credit to skipper Matt Stainton, who has had a tough season, but never gave up, despite what has seemed a never ending run of defeats.