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Wild scenes at Welford Road as Chris Ashton jumps barricade to applaud his own try
By Ian Cameron
Chris Ashton added another feather to his cap on Sunday as he scored his 100th Gallagher Premiership try in Leicester Tigersā win over Exeter Chiefs at Welford Road.
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Having scored his 99th earlier, the milestone try came in the second half after an initial effort at 100 was disallowed due to a foot-in-touch, an incident which saw Exeterās Olly Woodburn sent off after he received a second yellow card for diving on a grounded player.
Olly Woodburn gets a 2nd yellow and is sent off on a ? forā¦ well, take a look:
? @btsportrugby | #LEIvEXE pic.twitter.com/gTmOs7a8gU
ā RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 16, 2023
His 100th try came in the corner after a sweeping attack from the Tigers, showcasing the incredible finishing skills that have made him one of the best try scorers in the English game.
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Unfortunately, there was no signature Ash Splash celebration, but the moment was still a special one for Ashton as he reached the century mark in the Premiership.
THERE. IT. IS! ?
Denied once, he won't be denied twice ?
History is made for @ChrisAshton1 as he scores his 100th #GallagherPrem try ? pic.twitter.com/QkEas0rF2C
ā Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) April 16, 2023
He would collect his 101th try a few minutes, after which he jumped the barricades to applaud his own try in a brilliantly cheeky celebration that echoed Felipe Contepomiās effort nearly two decades ago for Leinster.
Sometimes you've just got to sit back and admireā¦ ?
Chris Ashton has saved his best celebration for try No.101 ?#GallagherPrem | #LEIvEXE pic.twitter.com/mmPF7iBV3l
ā Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) April 16, 2023
The 36-year-old wingerās career began in rugby league, and he made the transition to rugby union in 2007, where he quickly made a name for himself with his pace and try-scoring ability. Ashtonās career has seen him play for several top clubs, including Northampton Saints, Saracens, Toulon, Harlequins, Sale Sharks, before joining Leicester Tigers midway through last season.
In 2010, he made his England Rugby Test debut and went on to represent his country on 44 occasions, scoring 20 international tries.
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Ashtonās retirement from professional rugby is imminent, and he will call time on an 18-year career that has seen him become the all-time leading try-scorer in both the Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup, with 100 and 41 tries respectively.
To date, he has won three Premierships, two Heineken Champions Cups and one European Challenge Cup.
"I don't like the attention, I really don't.
"Not when it's good anyway, I don't mind when it's bad." ??
He's scored 101 Premiership tries and collected the Player of the Match award ?
? Over to you, @ChrisAshton1ā¦#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/joqYgaZ1Xy
ā Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) April 16, 2023
Ashtonās incredible try-scoring record is a testament to his skill and dedication, and he will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most prolific finishers in English rugby history. A son of Wigan, his contribution to the game will be sorely missed, but his legacy will undoubtedly live on, inspiring future generations of rugby players to follow in his footsteps.
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Brilliant reception in the Ground. "And the crowd went wild...! " š
great celebration