Diveney sets example as Saints soar

Date published: 15 April 2014


RUGBY:

OLDHAM St Anne’s regained second place in Division Two of the National Conference League with a convincing 44-6 win against Castleford Panthers at Higginshaw Road.

Mick Fogerty’s side were soon on the front foot as man-of-the-match Mickey Diveney forced a goal-line drop-out in the first minute. He then carried the ball to the visitors’ line before off-loading to winger Niall Collins to score at the corner flag.

It was all Saints, with centre David Harris breaking down the left three minutes later. He off-loaded ball inside for Craig Highton, who dived in under the posts. Kiel Lancashire landed the goal for a 10-0 lead.

Still inside the opening 10 minutes, Panthers opened their account with a try from hooker Lee Cartwright. Wayne Hardy added the goal.

Saints took control of the game at the start of the second quarter, Collins and Eric Johnson paving the way for Nathan Jewitt to cross for a Lancashire-goaled try.

Harris showed his strength by taking on three defenders to squeeze in at the corner.

Greg Worrall and Highton contributed to a fine effort for John Deakin to cross just before the interval, with Lancashire adding both conversions for a 28-6 lead.

Saints were back in the ascendancy again on the restart. Five minutes later the Saints full-back was laid flat out in the tackle. A melee ensued which resulted in Johnson seeing red and a penalty being awarded to the home side.

The Saints forwards were on top, however, forcing errors on the opposition, none more so than senior debutant Grant Hudson, who produced the opportunity for Deakin to claim a second try.

Just before the hour mark, the numbers on the field were evened up with Luke Varley spending time in the sin-bin for persistent offending.

In his absence, Saints grabbed a couple of tries courtesy of Lancashire, the first when he collected a chip over the Panthers defence followed by a kick in field from Dane English.