Ashton 13 Blackpool Scorpions 8 IN the first half the Scorpions defended the mud and when they got into the drier half of the field put pressure on their opponents. At one time they had three continuous sets of tackles as they forced Ashton to drop out but they just couldn't get over the line, the only scores of the half being a penalty each. Scorpions' penalty was kicked by Chris Pearson but as he took the kick he slipped and injured himself and had to leave the field.

In the second half Ashton took the lead with a try. Scorpions pinned their opponents in their own half as they struggled in the mud. And the pressure paid off when a Simon Pritchard 'bomb' was pounced on by Mick McNamara who scored his first try for the club. Dave Tanner converted to give the Scorpions an 8-6 lead. Ashton were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. This levelled the scores at 8-8. Scorpions lost their discipline and conceded needless penalties. They dropped a goal to lead 9-8. In the last attack of the game they scored another try.

Leigh East U13s beat the Scorpions 8-4

THE game was a defensive battle with both sides going close in the first half but neither would give an inch and it was scoreless at half-time.

In the second half Scorpions knocked on from the kick off and from the resulting scrum Leigh East scored a try. The game was still nip and tuck but it was the home side who scored next with another unconverted try to lead 8-0.

Earlier in the season the Scorpions would have caved in but they are more experienced now and came back at Leigh with Simon Ogden powering over for a good try. However, although they went close a few times they just couldn't get the next try.

It was a good defensive game by both sides with Tom Simpkin, Scott Marsden and Carl Reynolds working hard for Scorpions.