Manx Shield champions Southern Nomads went down fighting at King Williams College, eventually losing out 13-3 to league opponents Ashton-on-Mersey.
Nomads had the better of the opening 20 minutes and after stand-off Al Corrin had missed two early penalty chances, he finally got his side in front with a 15th minute drop goal.
Ashton then took control of the game and after starving Nomads of possession, got their noses in front on the stroke of half-time when scrum half Joel Dore dived over to make it 5-3.
Ashton full-back and man of the match Steve Bibby used the wind well in the second half and kept Nomads pinned deep in their own territory.
Eventually, an error came and Ashton centre Steve Appsley capitalised with a try to stretch the lead to 10-3.
A late Bibby penalty sealed it for Ashton who defended well in the closing stages as Nomads battled to the last.
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