MATTY Ashurst is working hard on being more consistent as he continues his third season with the first team squad.
The 20-year-old back rower has made 52 appearances in the Red Vee, bagging seven tries in the process and is gaining more game time as the campaign progresses.
“The injuries in the first team squad have probably given me the chance to get more time on the field than I would have had and I’m working hard to take the opportunity,” he said. “I want to play as consistently as I can and play as well as I can when I am given the chance.
“I am always trying to improve myself as a player and we all know if we are individually ready to play week in week out, we will play well as a team.
“All I want to do is stay in the team and I know I will give myself the best chance of that if I get to a good level of form week in week out.”
Ashurst scored in Sunday’s loss at Huddersfield after originally being named as sub but starting the match after Chris Flannery pulled up in the warm up.
“Yeah, we had a few injuries before the game but believed that whoever was playing still had what it took to beat Huddersfield. We were disappointed with the result and think we let ourselves down in defence.
“The Giants are a good side and they showed that with quick tries which put us on the back foot. But that was that and now we need to look forward and improve.
“Featherstone will come out all guns blazing. They are a good team in the championship and we’ll need to turn up and do what we can to come out of the game. Daryl Powell is a top coach and has been sitting high up in the table.
“They have shown they are capable of scoring tries and we know they will be dangerous.
“Every player wants to get to Wembley and all striving for that, but we need to take this game on first and it will be tough.”
Tickets for the match are still on sale from the Saints Ticket Office, by calling 01744 455 050 or by logging on to www.saintssuperstore.com
