Ashton Bears collected their second win of the season and moved up to seventh in the process after a comeback win at Ince Rose Bridge.
The visitors trailed 12-6 at the midway point of the game with the hosts worthy of their advantage.
A game under Friday night lights saw Ashton settle quickest and following an industrious start they scored first in the 8th minute when after setting up good field position. Halfback Tom Hopkins who organized well throughout, took the line on and forced his way through for Harry Ireland to convert.
Ince Rose Bridge then started to make good inroads. There were thunderous charges from Reece Cunningham and Casey Shaw while subtle hands in the middle from Jonathan Turner just kept Ashton guessing with spine players Matt Gaskell, Kieron Eccleston and Reece Bushell linking up. Eccleston and fullback Jamie Malone got the hosts moving and Jack Morrison burst through in support with Eccleston levelling the scores with his conversion.
Again Ashton threw themselves into the contest with Max Ruddock clearing his lines well and Will Halliwell offering good support with carries and Joe Bradburn, Niall Spruce, Jordan Green and skipper Cal Cottington leading from the front.
It was Ince Rose Bridge that took the next scoring opportunity. Free scoring Callum Hughes got on the end of a high kick from Eccleston in the 29th minute, having been well shepherded a couple of times before. Eccleston again converted before the last ten minutes of the half tailed off with neither side seeming able to hold onto the ball and the teams went to half-time with Bridge holding ascendancy.
With the words of coach Neil Ireland fresh in their minds, Ashton began the second half well, very well in fact. Within three minutes the game was level when slick hands around the middle of the field involving Ronny Broderick, Hopkins and Billy Newton, paved the way for Cottington to score and Newton converted. From the restart Hopkins took a contested kick, turned away from oncoming defenders, spinning into half an opening before firing the ball right to Luke Sutcliffe who outpaced a couple of defenders on the outside and showed strength to shake off Jamie Malone and touch down. Newton was again on point with the conversion and it was now 12-18.
Ince Rose Bridge weren't out of the contest with Hughes forced into touch as he dived for the line, but confidence surged for the visitors again when Broderick tore out of dummy half and finished an individual 30 metre try after 54 minutes. With Newton on song with the conversion again it was 12-24. More good defence held Cunningham close to the line and despite best efforts of Kyle Malone and Eli Steinberg, they were kept out with particularly loud celebrations when forcing Hughes into touch following a diving effort.
Seven minutes from time Ashton had a man sinbinned when Spruce blotted his copybook in delaying a restart and more sliding defence denied Hughes before Billy Newton settled any nerves with a well struck drop goal from thirty metres out. Ince Rose Bridge were finally rewarded for their persistence in he last minute when slick hands brought Hughes a second unconverted try, but Ashton's determination and fast start to the second half was rewarded.
INCE ROSE BRIDGE 16
ASHTON BEARS 25
By Dave Parkinson
Pic: 13 Pro Am Community RL
