Askam 36 Ulverston 18

ASKAM booked their place in the Barton Townley Cup final, but they had to work hard to fend off an Ulverston side who never gave up the chase.

The Villagers went into an early 10-0 lead and looked to be on target to rattle up a big score.

However, they were stunned on 18 and 21 minutes when the Dragley Beck side hit them with a double whammy to go ahead at 12-10.

But disaster struck when, after taking that two-point lead, Ulverston committed the cardinal sin from the re-start as three defenders failed to control the ball, allowing it to role into touch five yards from their own line.

Askam took the scrum from which Joe Satterthwaite, Adam Jackson and Russ Bolton combined for former Ulverston man Jake Spedding to go in at the corner.

The touchline goal from Jackson edged the Villagers back into the lead at 16-12, a lead they were not to surrender.

Askam got off to a flier, going 6-0 up in the first raid as Jackson and Satterthwaite combined to send Gary Bolton in for a try goaled by Jackson.

Ulverston almost crossed the line on their first attack when Joel Smith sent the impressive, hard-running Ryan John to within a foot of touching down.

Satterthwaite set up a raid, sending Mark Tyson into space and the number 13 looked destined to score until Steve O’Connor pulled off a try-saving tackle.

On ten minutes, after sustained pressure, Askam increased their lead when former Ulverston man Marc Dixon buried his way over from close range.

Another Askam raid fizzled out when, after Tom Butler had made good yards to send Gary Bolton into space, the second row forward fed Jackson who put in a high kick to the corner, but the ball went into touch.

Ulverston came more into the game on 18 minutes with Saunders, O’Connor and John making in-roads from where Saunders chipped ahead for Marc Storey to pounce and get the vital touch. Saunders tagged on the goal.

Before Askam had chance to recover they found themselves behind as another sweeping attack saw Smith burst clear on halfway to send the supporting Storey over the whitewash. Saunders added the extra two points and it was 12-10 and game on.

But that lapse in defence from the re-start saw Askam go in for the try from Spedding, goaled by Jackson.

When Tyson put in a high ball for Jack Cairns, the winger failed to gather cleanly and the opportunity was lost.

Ulverston were playing good rugby. Saunders sent John to within a foot of the line and when Potts crashed over he was held on his back.

A counter-attack saw Satterthwaite race over halfway to send Jack Akred in the clear, only for the substitute to be called back as a forward pass was ruled.

John, who was proving to be a handful, then broke down the wing from where Porter stabbed the ball over the line. Akred gathered but was dragged over his own line.

Ten minutes into the second half Askam increased their lead as swift play along the line from Satterthwaite, Jackson and Tom Butler enabled Spedding to score. Good team work in defence from Ulverston prevented Cairns touching down.

On 15 minutes deceptive running from full-back Russ Bolton saw him carve his way through the cover on halfway to race in by the posts, with Jackson’s goal making it 26-12.

Not to be outdone, Ulverston came back strongly, with Matt Storey always a willing carrier of the ball, and his hard work paid off with Rowan Smedley going in from a play the ball. Saunders landed a touchline goal to narrow the gap at 26-18.

But hopes of an upset disappeared when Gary Bolton made a 40-yard break for Askew to go in at the corner. Jackson’s kick from the touchline sailed between the posts.

In the closing minutes Matt Storey was sin-binned after a minor flare-up and to round off a win for the Villagers, Ben Lewney went in at the corner.

Askam: R Bolton, Cairns, Spedding, T Butler, Lewney, Jackson, Satterthwaite, Kavanagh, Dixon, J Butler, Hopkins, G Bolton, Tyson. Subs used: Akred, Wilkinson, Brailsford, Gaskell.

Ulverston: O’Connor, Askew, M Wilkinson, John, Hutton, Mc Storey, Saunders, Rankin, Smith, Mt Storey, B Wilkinson, High, Porter. Subs Used: Potts, Smedley, McGoff, Mills.

Men of the Match: Satterthwaite (Askam) Matt Storey (Ulverston).

Referee: Nathan Johnson. Touch-judges: Bob Huitson, Curtley Etchells.

l The second semi-final takes place tonight at Craven Park tonight (Monday) where Walney Cents meet Barrow Island – who enjoyed a 40-0 National Conference victory over Oldham St Annes on Saturday (kick-off 7pm).