Lostock returned to winning form with this excellent performance away at Ashton, winning 19-17.

Played in atrocious conditions this was definately the proverbial tale of two halves. From their usual slow start on their travels Lostock went on to completely dominate the first half.

In this period the visitors were superior in every department, the pack were dominant in the scrum, lineout and loose, and the backs had too much skill for the home team. After being camped in the Ashton half Lostock eventually opened the scoring. The forwards won clean lineout ball to set up the backs, the ball ending in ANDY LAUNDON's hands to power over in the corner.

All credit to the home team when they came straight back to score immediately. Lostock never managed to deal with the kickoff and concede a lineout five yards in, from this the hosts won the ball and drove over, they kicked the conversion to take the lead. Man of the match Andy Mercer, deputising at scrum half, was excellent with his runs which Ashton had no answer to. The visitng forwards then wore down the hosts and retook the lead.

The ball was again set up for the backs who gave it to LAUNDON to crash through the home defence with two defenders hanging on to him to score his second try. Nicholls coverted. At this stage it was all Lostock and they went further ahead shortly after. From his own 22 Mercer beat the defence for pace, he then chipped forward towards the covering full back.

The Lostock chasers were up on him on a flash, and as he got up dispossessed him allowing STEVE LEONARD to run in unopposed under the posts. Nicholls again converted. In the last five minutes of the half Ashton showed their intent for the second period with some pressure on the Lostock line. Lostock held out to finish the half 19-7 ahead.

A combination of Ashton improving their team with half time substitutions and Lostock taking their foot off the pedal made the remainder of the game alien to the first forty minutes. The home team came at Lostock with a vengance and kept the visitors in their own half for most of the second period.

Ashton eventually broke down the away defence mid-way through the half when they out numbered Lostock down the flank to score in the corner. The home side then turned up the heat another couple of notches and put Lostock under considerable pressure.

With ten minutes to go they reduced the deficit to two points, rucking and mauling their way to the line before crashing over.

After this Lostock played their best rugby of the half. They were still dominant in the scrummage and tightened things up to wind down the time.

Lostock were disappointed not to have won more convincingly but did well on what was as a mud bath of a pitch, against good opposition.

Lostocks next fixture is a tough league match away at North Manchester.