Grassroots sides prepare for action proper with keenly-contested friendlies

ASHTON BEARS warmed up for this week’s Betfred Challenge Cup tie against Dewsbury Rams with a 16-12 win at CLOCK FACE MINERS, thanks to the only score of the second period - a try on 55 minutes by Luke Parkinson, plus Robbie Smyth’s second goal. The Bears had posted earlier touchdowns for Tom Hopkins and Lewis Goulding while the Miners, who ha