WOLVES' depleted side put up a brave show against Ashton and it proved to be as highly a competitive fixture as expected.
The first 10 minutes of the game were even with props Ben Smith and Kieron Taylor searching for gaps in Ashtons defence, but unfortunately in the 12th minute the first break went to Ashton who duly scored the opening try of the match.
Weaverham's Tom Beddard immediately hit back with a typical attacking run which ended in a well deserved equalising try.
Ashton pushed forward again and a fine try-saving tackle by Matty Gabbot saved the Wolves and then Olly Connelly came close to a try but was stopped just short of the line. The unlucky Wolves injury jinx occurred yet again with an arm injury to Elilott Hitch.
It is proving a real bad patch for Weaverham over recent weeks and the team was reduced to 11 men just before half time.
This led to Weaverham being put up against it with two men down after starting short with only 12 players - and against a full-strength, aggressive Ashton side.
However, Weaverham are a much stronger force to be reckoned with these days. The defence of all the team, in particular the improved tackling and general play of Alex Ford, a noticeable performance from Brendon Long and fine under-pressure catching skills shown by Matt Gabbot, kept Wolves well in touch in the early stages of the second half.
Again, though, Ashton started to make the most of the extra men and score the first try of the second half.
When in possession, Wolves were always dangerous and Ben Smith yet again showed what he was made of to sprint in another fine equalising try.
Unfortunately, this proved to be Wolves' last real threat and they could not find a further try.
In the last 10 minutes, Ashton cemented their victory with a further three tries to make the final score 20-8 and, in the dying seconds of the match, skipper Tom Beddard was also injured to rub salt into the wounds.
Man-of-the-match was Tom Beddard.
