MATTY Ashton's try achievements this season will not particularly stand out in the record books over time, but he has certainly delivered in his debut Warrington Wolves campaign.
To finish top of the Wire try-scoring chart - assuming he has and that Wolves do not get called into the play-offs semi-finals from their Covid-19 standby position - is to his credit when he has had competition from distinguished four-pointer company like Josh Charnley, Tom Lineham, Anthony Gelling and Blake Austin.
And it is further credit to the 22-year-old former Swinton Lions flyer that his success is despite having to fight back in mid-season from hamstring surgery, the first major injury of his career.
His two well-taken efforts in the 27-14 home loss to Hull FC in Thursday's eliminator took him two scores clear of marquee stand-off Austin, being the only player to squeeze into double figures in 2020 with 10.
And he did so having played fewer matches than his nearest rivals, with his total arriving from 11 starts and two substitute appearances.
It is no wonder his form earlier in the year caught the eye of Shaun Wane and it led to selection in the England Knights squad coached by Paul Anderson.
As seasons go for Wire's top try scorers, Ashton's total is low but of course there is mitigation because of the shorter campaign and general disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
All pictures by Mike Boden
In terms of tries per game scoring rate, Ashton compares favourably with Warrington's highest achievers during the Super League era.
Wire's top try scorers per season in Super League era (appearances in brackets):
2020: Matty Ashton 10 (11+2)
2019: Blake Austin 19 (30)
2018: Josh Charnley 25 (28)
2017: Tom Lineham 21 (27)
2016: Ben Currie 21 (33)
2015: Ben Currie 19 (31)
2014: Joel Monaghan 38 (31)
2013: Joel Monaghan 31 (30)
2012: Joel Monaghan/Chris Riley 29 (31, 34)
2011: Joel Monaghan 30 (26)
2010: Chris Hicks 32 (28)
2009: Chris Hicks 20 (24)
2008: Chris Hicks 19 (30)
2007: Henry Fa'afili 22 (28)
2006: Henry Fa'afili 24 (31)
2005: Henry Fa'afili 23 (30)
2004: Brent Grose 17 (28)
2003: Graham Appo 23 (29)
2002: Lee Briers 9 (28)
2001: Alan Hunte 16 (28)
2000: Alan Hunte 19 (31)
1999: Toa Kohe-Love 28 (33)
1998: Mark Forster 11 (33)
1997: Nigel Vagana 22 (30) - pictured below right
1996: Richard Henare 17 (18) - pictured above left
Ashton, who can play full-back or winger, joined The Wire on a two-year deal fresh from being the Championship’s top try scorer and young player of the year for 2019
He burst onto the scene with Swinton last year having been picked up from amateur side Rochdale Mayfield at the start of the season.
Ashton spent the previous season in Australia playing on the border of Queensland and New South Wales with Mullumbimby Giants.
He ended his Swinton campaign with 30 tries, including five in the final game of the season against 1895 Cup winners Sheffield Eagles.
Such progress in a short period time leaves the mouth watering for what is to come from Ashton in the years ahead.
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