Sat 13 Dec 2025
Ashton started quickly with Ethan Sykes and Connor Winfield combining to open up Ramsey’s right flank and drawing a high tackle from Ramsey as Winfield hit the try line. Referee Gareth Hinge MBE awarded a penalty try to give the visitors a 7-0 lead after just eight minutes.
As quarter of an hour approached a Ramsey punt found its way to Ashton’s pace man Ethan Sykes. He opened up the taps and sliced through the defence to dab down under the posts and Josh Pattison converted to make it 14-0.
Ramsey countered strongly with a Brandon Atchison break close to the half hour. He was brought down around the twenty two and needed to leave the field for some running repairs. This brought Ramsey replacement Jake Richmond into the fray and just past the half hour he crashed over from close range to get Ramsey on the board, with Dan Kelly adding the conversion. The resurgence however didn’t last long. From the restart Ashton regained possession. Sykes joined the back line as the extra man and he sent Lewis Pattison clear. His try went unconverted and when the half time whistle went, Ashton were 19-7 in front.
Six minutes into the second half Ashton secured their try bonus point. Number eight Tom Ainsworth got in behind the Ramsey defence and with some clear space in front of him he stretched his legs and went on from around thirty metres to score. Josh Pattison did the honours with the conversion and Ashton were looking home and dry.
As the half went on through, the wheels started to come off the Ashton wagon. Ramsey were enjoying more possession despite playing into the strong wind and they inched their way downfield. As and when the ball was turned over Ashton tried to kick long and ended up kicking dead several times and conceding territory instead of gaining it. This led to frustration and a couple of late tackles which cost even more territory.
As the final ten minutes arrived, tempers were becoming increasingly frayed and Ashton picked up a red card after an off the ball scuffle. Ramsey took advantage and prop Rory Nicholson crashed over for a try on his one hundredth appearance. With three to play another scuffle broke out and the end result was a second red card for the visitors. Ramsey again capitalised with Nicholson celebrating again with his second of the march. Dan Kelly’s conversion would’ve given Ramsey a losing bonus point but the souwesterly gale had other ideas.
As quarter of an hour approached a Ramsey punt found its way to Ashton’s pace man Ethan Sykes. He opened up the taps and sliced through the defence to dab down under the posts and Josh Pattison converted to make it 14-0.
Ramsey countered strongly with a Brandon Atchison break close to the half hour. He was brought down around the twenty two and needed to leave the field for some running repairs. This brought Ramsey replacement Jake Richmond into the fray and just past the half hour he crashed over from close range to get Ramsey on the board, with Dan Kelly adding the conversion. The resurgence however didn’t last long. From the restart Ashton regained possession. Sykes joined the back line as the extra man and he sent Lewis Pattison clear. His try went unconverted and when the half time whistle went, Ashton were 19-7 in front.
Six minutes into the second half Ashton secured their try bonus point. Number eight Tom Ainsworth got in behind the Ramsey defence and with some clear space in front of him he stretched his legs and went on from around thirty metres to score. Josh Pattison did the honours with the conversion and Ashton were looking home and dry.
As the half went on through, the wheels started to come off the Ashton wagon. Ramsey were enjoying more possession despite playing into the strong wind and they inched their way downfield. As and when the ball was turned over Ashton tried to kick long and ended up kicking dead several times and conceding territory instead of gaining it. This led to frustration and a couple of late tackles which cost even more territory.
As the final ten minutes arrived, tempers were becoming increasingly frayed and Ashton picked up a red card after an off the ball scuffle. Ramsey took advantage and prop Rory Nicholson crashed over for a try on his one hundredth appearance. With three to play another scuffle broke out and the end result was a second red card for the visitors. Ramsey again capitalised with Nicholson celebrating again with his second of the march. Dan Kelly’s conversion would’ve given Ramsey a losing bonus point but the souwesterly gale had other ideas.
