Ashton Bears A 34-18 Burtonwood Bridge.
A decent game that ensured both sides had a run out on an otherwise free Saturday. The Bears opened the scoring & stayed in control with some enterprising rugby. Bridge posed our defence some problems with their big forwards but the stuff we've been working on worked out. Both sides had lots of subs and everyone seemed to get a run out, it gave us a chance to have a look at a couple of new signings so overall a good day. Back to league action next week as we host Chester.

We were hoping for a Bury favour yesterday, but I suppose the result is ok for us with Bury now 4 points adrift after Fitton Hill have us a late call(after telling us 40 mins earlier they were coming, can't say I'm surprised tbh) so Bury have Tigers and then a load of walkovers to end the season, how will that effect your playoff chances with no game for the last month? How do you think the top 2 will finish? I'm hoping Orrell finish 1st so we can go to the Bulldogs in the playoffs, few wrongs to put right!!

We've Chester still to play or do you know something we don't yet?

No mate I'm being facetious! With union season starting they will be 5 or 6 down on their small squad anyway! I'd place a safe bet they won't travel to Bury!

It'll be interesting to see if Chester travel to us next Saturday, that should give an idea as to how their seasons going to pan out.
In terms of finishing top I'd say Bulldogs are favourites as OSJ still have to play Bulldogs, Tigers as well as going up to Fitton Hill. Then we still have a fixture to be rearranged at their place. If they do get through all those games it'll be the longest run they've had this season without a free weekend due to the opposition conceding.

Orrell pasted Bulldogs a few weeks back and Bulldogs best player is the poor lad who broke his neck, orrell can thus afford to lose another game(hopefully against us) and will still finish top provided they win all the other games.

I think that was the game when the lad got injured so that might have had an effect on Bulldogs. Either way should be a close call come October & the playoffs are going to be interesting.

Chester not travelling to us (Ashton Bears A) tomorrow and they say that's it for them this season due to losing lads back to union.

Posted on another thread that we're looking for a friendly so if anyone else is in a similar position let me know.

Cheers.

Mystic ball and all that

Tigers 41 Bury 6.

Tough opening 15 minutes but then we got on top and only conceded a try from a quarter of a yard scoot by a prop. 14 wins in the last 15 for us now, really keeping up form towards the playoffs and have now confirmed at least a top 3 finish.

Remaining games;

Orrell (H) 17th Sept
Mancunians (H) 21st Sept
Little Hulton (A) 28th Sept

Fitton Hill beat Wigan after failing to travel to us last week. Make of that what you will!

I wasn't at the Widnes-Bury game (think my season is over ) but not heard good things.

Same as last week, not surprised we lost - too many key lads missing again and a couple who let themselves down by being p!ssed Friday night. I believe it was a pretty bad-tempered affair with a few sin-binnings and even our coach lost his rag at the poor refereeing and ended up being sent off.

Not gonna go on about what I've heard but suffice to say a referee who watched from the sidelines was disgusted at the lack of protection for our lads, and with what Widnes got away with. Sounds like the Ashton report a few weeks ago may have been close to the mark?

Oh well, that's their first ever win over us.

Big surprise at the Fitton result - sounds like they might have drafted in a few St Annes lads again. Whatever, it's opened things up for Orrell though they've two big games against Wigan and Widnes coming up.

I suppose you didn't 'hear' about your lads raising elbows constantly all game? Out discipline was good yesterday, but lads can't be blamed for reacting to players leading with elbows and kicking out when tackled(deliberate kick to head which began handbags which then led to one of your lads running 30 yards to throw punches) to be honest they both should have been sent off as the referee admitted he saw what went on. 'Our 1st win over you'? It was a one sided game after 15 mins and it was a shame that some of our blokes saw it as a training exercise or we would have put 60 or 70 on you, with players still to come back into the fold we look strong and I hope we can play to our potential in these playoffs!

Hard luck Bury but continuously crying wolf after losing makes you look stupid Cronus and I also believe one of your 'coaches' entered the pitch and laid hands on a Tigers player, maybe your mob aren't as angelic as you portray them!

Big win for Fitton there, we've got to go there in a few weeks time, sounds like its going to be a tough one.

Our remaining fixtures are
Mancunians (A)
Westhoughton (H)
Fitton Hill (A)
OSJ (A) TBA

We'll have no part to play in the play offs so good luck to the top 4 you've earned the right of be there & it looks like its going to be a cracking end to the season.

The kicking out was due to the lad being spear tackled and your lot were throwing high shots and elbows "all game" as well. Certainly not as "angelic" as you portray them and not the first time this has been mentioned in this thread if you recall? As I said, a neutral referee was watching and said as much to us after the game.

Either way, we knew a win would be a big ask yesterday with a largely second-string team making the journey. We played poorly - our half backs are fuming at the lazy display by some of our forwards. But congrats, glad your boys enjoyed it, must have played well to dominate the 2nd half so much.


Bit like you lot after Fitton?


He was sent off for having a go at the ref and he'll rightly face the music for it, it's unacceptable. He's played at a far higher level than any of us - for him to lose his rag is very unusual and says a lot.

Fitton Hill game? Must be mistaken because I thought we won that game?

Your 11 wasn't spear tackled, it was momentum which carried him over the horizontal and certainly no malice(as I was the one who picked his legs up) and you seem to be justifying a direct kick to the head region of another player, for that I think you are on fine ground my friend. Anyway my rod and bait are going away for now. I await your next defeat when you will blame it on your '2nd team' lads!!