COMMITMENT and enthusiasm were not lacking in Ashton's performance against St Edwards Old Boys, but a try two minutes from the end, after sustained pressure from the visitors' pack, deprived them of a victory they might well have achieved.

It was always going to be a close encounter, and Ashton will look back at the three penalties they conceded, shortly after taking the lead with a well-taken Freddie Baama penalty.

These uneccessary penalties cost Ashton the game, and players must realise that conceding them is letting down their colleagues, whether in ignorance of the laws or over enthusiasm - Ashton must address this problem immediately if they are to achieve a respectable league position.

To Ashton's credit, down 3-9 at half-time, they came back strongly and after turning down a kickable penalty, forward pressure brought about a try by veteran, Eddie O'Neil, converted by Baama.

Newcomer, Steve Newton, had an excellent debut in the centre which helped to compensate for the early injury loss of Jamie Leaff, whose comeback is a real bonus to a lively Ashton back division.