Great escape still on for Warrington (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington 25 Ashton on Mersey 5

12:55pm Thursday 19th April 2012 in Rugby Union

WARRINGTON’S hopes of survival in South Lancashire and Cheshire One rest on their final game of the season following a brilliant bonus-point win against Ashton at Walton Lea Road.

After their dismal start to the season it was feared that they held no hope of avoiding relegation, but a string of great results in recent weeks has given them hope of avoiding the drop.

Relegation rivals Liverpool Collegiate also managed to scrape a win, meaning that both teams have 41 points going into their final match.

Liverpool take on the unbeaten champions Sale, while Warrington will be confident of beating all-but-safe Winnington Park in Northwich, kick off 3pm.

They will need to continue the form they showed against Ashton, when a strong defence supported by lethal counter-attacking kept the mid-table side at bay.

A Roberts penalty gave the hosts the early lead before Melvin completed a period of pressure by crashing over on 10 minutes.

Warrington’s back rowers Randle and Fleming prevented Ashton from striking back almost immediately, with the home side then moving up the other end where Fraser put over in the corner, converted by Roberts.

The second half continued in the same vein, Warrington adding to their tally through Roberts’ unconverted try before the hosts made safe victory with a flowing counter attack that left the visitors 25 points behind until a consolation try at the death.