Aspull RFC 3rds Social Team

Aspull 3rds welcome Leigh RUFC - Ltd 2nds to Woodshaw Park. We’d love to see as many faces down to support us as possible, so join us for an afternoon of rugby and maybe a pint or two. UP THE EMUS 🏉

Aspull 3rd XV returned to the field on Saturday for their first home game in over a month, welcoming Garstang 3rd XV to Woodshaw park on a perfect day for rugby.
The Aspull team had a number of regular faces unavailable this week, so Ian “Scouse” Robertson had put up the Emu signal on Friday which attracted some new faces to the club, some of which were playing their first competitive game of rugby in many years.
The lads were out of the changing rooms early with coach Mark Verhaege taking them through an extensive warm up and stretching session, the buzz of finally playing a home game clear to see.
Garstang kicked off the first half and in quite literally the first tackle of the game, ho**er Martin Dutton took a knock to his knee and had to hobble off the pitch, leaving us without a full front row within the first 30 seconds of the game. That set the tone for the rest of the first half, with the hard running Garstang team making good ground every time they had possession of the ball and running in multiple unanswered tries. A successful penalty kick from Sam Price gave Aspull their only points of a pretty dismal looking first half.

As has been the case many times this season, Aspull looked like a different team in the second half, focussing on retaining the ball and managing to string together multiple phases testing the Garstang defence. Strong carries by John Armstrong and Mark Scott set the platform for Aspull to score their first try of the game with Callum O’Connor going over the line in his first game in many years. It was a shame to see Callum going off the pitch with a head injury shortly afterwards as he was an ever-present danger with the ball in his hands.
Garstang continued to probe the Aspull defence but some last-ditch tackles from Kyle Griffiths kept them off the scoresheet a couple of times.
Another passage of smart play by Aspull was topped off by a second try in as many games for Sam Price who speedily chased a kick from his own half and managed to carry the ball over the line.
By this point in the game the Aspull injury list was nearing double figures meaning we were down to 14 players, and some lads were trying out a position they hadn’t played before. Both Leo Birkett and Ben O’Toole running around with smiles on their faces as they were getting to be a forward for the day. The excitement got a bit too much for Ben by the end of the game, but the least said about his crossfield kick the better.

Final score Aspull 15 – 51 Garstang.
Man of the Match was Andy Martin who put in yet another solid performance in both defence and attack as well as showing everyone how fast he can drink a pint after the game.

Next week Aspull welcome Fleetwood for a second home game on the bounce.

And at last, our first home game of the season kicks off at 2:15pm when we welcome Garstang RUFC 3rds to Woodshaw Park. We’d love to see as many faces down to support us as possible so join us for an afternoon of rugby and maybe even a pint or two. Up those Emus.🏉

⏰ 2:15 Saturday 24th
📍 Woodshaw Park, Woods Road, Aspull, Wigan, WN2 1PJ

1st XV named for tomorrow 💪🏉

Aspull RFC vs Wilmslow RUFC
📍 Woodshaw Park
🕒 Kick off 14:15 – Saturday 29th November

Get yourself down to the club, bring your family and mates and make some noise for the lads in blue and navy! 🙌💙

Match Report 11th October 2025.

Garstang 34 Aspull 3's 5

Some late cry off's and several injuries within the club left a merry band of 11 Emus to travel up the M6 to take on Garstang.

Despite the final scoreline going in Garstang’s favour, Aspull 3s can hold their heads high after a spirited and determined performance on Saturday. From the first whistle to the last, the lads showed immense heart, teamwork, and commitment — qualities that define what it means to wear the Aspull badge.

Garstang started strongly, using their physicality and structure to edge ahead in the first half. But Aspull refused to roll over. The forwards dug deep in the scrums and breakdowns, matching Garstang’s intensity and showing huge character in defence. Some bruising tackles and relentless effort from the pack set the tone, while the backs looked sharp in open play, threatening the line on several occasions.

In the second half, Aspull found another gear — playing with pride and passion, pushing Garstang all the way and even getting a try back, courtesy of make-shift centre for the day, John Armstrong who scored his first ever try for the Emu's. As the game slipped away on the scoreboard, the attitude never dipped. Every player gave everything until the final whistle, earning the respect of both the captain and vice captain.

While the result didn’t go Aspull’s way, the performance showed the team’s growing unity and fighting spirit — something to build on for the rest of the season.

Final Score: Garstang RUFC 34 – 5 Aspull RUFC
Players of the Match:
Dylan - best game so far at 10, vocal and organised
Gareth - the smallest on the field but put some big hits in.

Quote of the day: “Results come and go, but effort and heart are non-negotiable — and today, Aspull had both in abundance”

Leigh Vs Aspull 3s 27th September

Aspull 3s take on Burnley at home in a league/cup double header. Come down and support the Emus in a crunch game.

Aspull 3XV team to take on Leigh tomorrow. Come down and show us your support.

A massive way to start the season.

For years, Aspull and Wigan have only met in friendlies. This weekend it’s different – there are league points on the line for the first time in a long while.

💙 1st XV to face Wigan
📅 Saturday 6th September
⏰ 15:00 KO
📍 Woodshaw Park

The club will be open all afternoon:
🍔 Food served from around 2:30
🍻 Bar open right through till late
☀️ Sunshine forecast – the perfect day to get down, enjoy the rugby, and make a day of it

Big milestone for the club this weekend 👏

For the first time in over a decade, an Aspull Colts side will take the field at Woodshaw Park. Our U17s host Lymm RFC U17s in what promises to be a cracking game of rugby.

📅 Sunday 7th September
⏰ 3:00pm Kick Off
📍 Woodshaw Park

The bar will be open, so come down, show your support and be part of an important day in Aspull RFC’s history 🍻💙

A massive Saturday of rugby coming up for Aspull RFC! 💪💙

🏉 1st XV (Home): Aspull RFC vs Wigan RUFC
🏉 2nd XV (Away): Wigan RUFC vs Aspull RFC
🏉 3rd XV (Home): Aspull RFC vs Tyldesley RUFC

📅 Saturday 6th September
⏰ 3:00pm Kick Off

Two big games at Woodshaw Park and the 2s making the short trip across town. Get down and back the lads wherever you are! 🔵⚫️

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