Fogerty’s depleted side outplayed

RUGBY:  

OLDHAM St Anne’s saw their three-match winning streak come to an end with a defeat 22-18 by Division One bottom club Stanningley.

Despite propping up the division, the Leeds outfit outplayed Mick Fogerty’s men and deserved the scalp — though without being able to name a settled side once again, Saints were up against it from the off.

Stanningley showed their intent early on when winger Sean Connolly picked up a loose ball and raced in from 80 yards for the first of three touchdowns.

Niall Collins touched down in the corner to level for St Anne’s and after Sean Thomas fluffed his chance by dropping the ball over the line, the home side added to their tally with a try from Josh Roberts.

At 8-4 down at the break, Saints nearly restored parity when David Sweeney went agonisingly close.

But Stanningley replied with a try from the impressive Jack Sykes, the conversion making the score 14-4.

The visitors’ man-of-the-match, Kiel Lancashire, spotted a gap and raced in for a try which was goaled by Carl Sneyd, pulling things back to within four points.

Sean Connolly then scored his second try, but when Saints’ Josh Denbigh touched down to make it 18-14, the game was still in the balance.

In the dying stages, Lancashire was held up over the line, Connolly completed his hat-trick and Denbigh crossed for his second try for St Anne’s — but it was in vain.