Oldham back with a victory

TERRIFIC DEBUT . . . Greg Antonio made a try-scoring bow for Oldham seconds

OLDHAM RUFC got their North Lancashire and Cumbria League campaign back up and running with a routine 34-12 win at Silloth.

In what was the Manor Park's outfit's 12th opening-day away fixture in the last 13 seasons, the seven-hour, 260-mile round trip was just about worth it as Bobby Callum, Gaz Blomeley and Alex Mayoh all made impressive debuts.

Oldham broke the deadlock after 15 minutes when the ball went through the back line to Alex Jobson, who showed a good deal of pace to win a kick and chase down the right wing.

Callum Megram's conversion went wide.

Oldham then enjoyed a dominant spell for the next 20 minutes and should have added to their lead, but they disappointed at key moments and tried to throw the ball around too much, meaning chances went begging.

Even Megram's normally reliable boot wasn't firing and Oldham paid the price as Joel Packer scored in the corner to make it 5-5.

The supporting Josh Watson touched down by the posts to restore Oldham's lead, with Megram's conversion making the half-time score 12-5.

A result-defining five-minute spell came midway through the second half when Oldham first extended their lead to 19-5 when the ball went though many pairs of hands before Max Horsfall went over in the corner.

Megram added an excellent conversion.

They immediately recovered the kick off on the 22 and broke down the left and before Silloth had the opportunity to regroup, Gareth Barber touched down to make it 24-5.

It could easily have turned into a rout, but Silloth are made of sterner stuff and showed real grit and determination for the final 20 minutes.

A second Jobson score in the corner and a conversion and a penalty from Megram extended the lead to 34-5, but Silloth had the last say in the final minute when Ricky Sutcliffe took a quick tap penalty and scored with the Oldham defence still questioning why a penalty had been awarded.