Whitehead on fire as Saints triumph

Photo: Paul Sterritt

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU . . . Matthew Whitehead kicks a successful conversion

ON a wet but surprisingly firm Higginshaw Road pitch, Oldham St Anne's ran out convincing 28-10 winners over Rylands Sharks in Division Three of the Kingstone Press National Conference League.

The visitors started well. From a towering kick-off, Rylands' centre and man-of-the-match Troy Brophy collected the ball and exerted pressure on the Saints line. From this pasage of play, big second-row Nick Braide took an inside pass and forced his way over the line.

However, the game slowly started to turn in Saints' favour, and a clever kick from Matthew Whitehead released Ryan Powell to register a converted try next to the uprights.

SUCCESSION

The hosts went over twice more in quick succession off a weak Rylands defence, through Rhys Wareing and Callum Fletcher. Whitehead added the extras to put Saints 18-6 ahead at half-time.

Saints carried on where they left off at the beginning of the second half, with great play at the line by Whitehead allowing Dominic Igoe to break clear before crossing the whitewash.

Whitehead kicked his fourth successful conversion for an 18-point lead.

In an attempt to get back in the game, Rylands applied plenty of pressure with some expansive rugby, but a combination of good defence and poor handling in the conditions saw Saints hold firm.

Frustration set in for Rylands as they conceded a clutch of penalties.

Whitehead did not need a second invitation to put boot to ball with a brace of successful penalties, and with two Rylands players in the sin-bin the match was up.

There was a late consolation try for the visitors from Luke Gilloley, but it did not detract from a fine Saints performance in testing conditions.

CONCEDED

Elsewhere in Division Three, Waterhead Warriors conceded a try from seven minutes from time as they slipped to a 16-12 loss at Eastmoor Dragons.

Dave Orwell's side had led through tries from Jamie Mayall ­- he also added a conversion ­- and Peter Davies.

Danny Johnson (two) and Kevin Brown crossed for Eastmoor, with James Slater and Adie Mulcahy kicking the goals.