Quote: PHe "When BA got a broken cheek bone it was an 'off the ball' elbow from the Wigan forward Steve Breheney (sp), I seem to recall he only got a couple of matches from the RFL. Magnificent skills had BA. I remember one particular game against Bradford (could be the same as mentioned above), when attacking on their 25 he threw out 3 dummies, chipped over the defence the ball bouncing up into his midriff, he then went on to round the fullback and under the sticks.
Another time was away at Featherstone when he was player-coach and we fielded a very young and inexperienced side which included Hopkinson at prop (he went into the police force mounted section and then had heart problems at a young age). Bill led that team round the field that day, he was on one leg because of his knee injury that ended his career, but he wouldn't give up and I seem to recall him being involved in every play, coaching and telling players where to run and line up etc. I can't recall one player dominating a game so much as BA that day - I think we lost, he ran out of steam.'"
I envy everyone's great specific memories of Bill Ashurt. I just remember that he had truly sublime skills with the ball and he could produce moments of pure magic that were breathtaking.
I do, however, remember clearly the game against Wigan at Belle Vue who came with the sole intention of putting Ashurst out of the game and their prop Steve Brezheny (sp) cynically taking him out off the ball.
I also remember the cup game at Fev, Ashurst's knee's had become so bad he could barely jog but he came off the bench and despite his valiant, courageous effort we still lost, think it was about 10-6.
