Matty Ashton wins Warrington Guardian readers award

The young outside back burst onto the Super League scene this year having signed from Swinton Lions and his 10 tries saw him finish as The Wire's top scorer.

When votes from our man of the match polls throughout the season were added up, he beat second-placed Mike Cooper and third-placed Blake Austin to the prize.

The 22-year-old, who has shone both at full-back and on the wing for Steve Price's side this year, says being voted as the team's stand-out player for the year by supporters is "a nice feeling."

However, he insists there is plenty more to come from him.

"It’s been a tough old year for myself and the boys," he said.

"We’ve had ups and downs but this personal award is a nice way to finish it. It’s a nice feeling especially being voted for by the Warrington fans.

"It’s nice to know I’m appreciated and it makes it mean that little bit more.

"The fans have had it hard watching from home but we appreciate everything they’ve done for us. They’ve stuck by us all year.

"I’ve definitely surprised myself but there’s so much more to come from me.

"I know I’ve got a lot of improving to do and I haven’t done anything yet in terms of my own expectations.

"With another big pre-season next year hopefully I can kick on even further."

Matty Ashton celebrates one of his two tries against Hull FC last week. Picture by Mike Boden

Ashton's electric speed and finishing ability have caught the eye this year from the moment he made his debut in the season-opening defeat to Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium.

He picked out that game and his late winning try in the 12-10 win over Castleford Tigers in September as his stand-out moments.

"The Castleford try was pretty special," he said.

"For most of the game, they were reading me quite well and nothing much was going for me.

"That try really put a smile on my face and got us the win that day.

Ashton strides through to score the winning try against Castleford Tigers in September. Picture by Mike Boden

"My debut at Wigan – I don’t think I could describe the feeling of walking out to see all those Wire fans behind the goal.

"I was getting goosebumps and the adrenaline was running through my body.

"Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the win but I was happy with my own performance. I knew then I belonged on the big stage."

Ashton in action on his debut against Wigan in January. Picture by Mike Boden

Sadly for Ashton and his Wire teammates, their season once again ended in play-off disappointment as they were beaten 27-14 by Hull FC in last week's eliminator.

The former Rochdale Mayfield amateur, who scored two of Warrington's three tries in the game, admits spirits were low among the players in the aftermath having felt like they let supporters down.

"The mood’s not been great," he said.

"We didn’t perform to our expectations and we were definitely below par. Hull played the game better than us.

"We were all devastated as we didn’t want it to end there.

"It’s been a long, tough year and we wanted to give the fans something more to cheer about.

"We can’t change what’s happened now. All we can do is get in for a big pre-season and go again."

Ashton crosses during the play-off loss to Hull FC. Picture by Mike Boden