Matty Ashton on his first season in Super League

After a dream move from Swinton Lions to Super League side Warrington Wolves, Matty Ashton faced a tough first Super League season.

The 22-year-old made his Super League debut in Round one at the DW Stadium against Wigan Warriors- a place which is notoriously known to be difficult to play at, made even harder with a sending off in the first half. “It was very tough. I was thrown in at the deep end a little bit, but I think that was a good thing for me to get a game like that done in the first round, so I could improve from there. Putting myself in a big stadium like the DW in my first game really helped me for the rest of the season, playing more games and facing people at the top level”.

The games didn’t get any easier for the full back, who then had to face the reigning Super League champions St Helens on his home debut, in front of a sold out Halliwell Jones Stadium. “That was incredible! Running out to the atmosphere in those types of game is incredible. I remember watching those games on the TV and seeing the atmosphere, but actually running out and being able to play in them, in front of those fans is an amazing feeling. It was even more special that we won the game as well”.

Warrington came away with a 19-0 win on the night- the only side who were able to keep the champions scoreless throughout the season, with the performance looked back on as their performance of the season. “It was certainly up there regarding our defensive performance. They were and still are the current champions, and we managed to keep them quiet and to nil, which was really important to us that day. It was a really good performance”.

The 2020 season was disrupted for everyone throughout Super League, but Matty looks back on a year he enjoyed. “I really enjoyed it. I settled in very well and managed to get a few games under my belt. The plan was just to take my chances as they came. I was happy with my performances”.

Looking back on his first year with the Wolves, highlight moments were his debut and the match winning try against Castleford. “Highlight moment in the season has to be my debut in that first game. Or the Castleford game where I scored in the last minute- that was a really big steppingstone for me winning the game like that”.

After a disappointing season for Steve Price’s side, ending in playoff defeat. Matty looks forward to putting things right this year. “For team performances, we didn’t do as well as we should have, which was disappointing, so hopefully we can put that right this year”.