Ward try opens the floodgates
Date published: 08 October 2008
GOTCHA: Kieran Moskwin (right), of Our Lady’s, is tackled during the Oldham Schools Year Eight rugby league festival at Manor Park. Saddleworth School were crowned champions after a 10-5 defeat of Blue Coat in the final. The Plate winners were Crompton House, who beat Hathershaw 10-0.
OLDHAM St Anne’s under-15s overcame a slow star to post 42 unanswered points at Folly Lane in division one of the North-West Counties League.
They broke the deadlock through a try from Jarred Ward, which was converted by Nathan Hughes, before further efforts from Nick Ryan and Dale Harris took them into a 14-0 half-time lead.
Some strong running saw the visitors turn on the style in the second half.
Nick Ryan, Ryan Bradbury, Ward, Dale Harris and Chris Taylor went over, with Hughes kicking four more conversions.
A stiffer test awaits Saints when they go to Wigan St Patrick’s in the Lancashire Cup this weekend.
The under-13s and Leigh Miners Rangers were locked together at four points apiece at half-time, but the Saints got their act together in the second period to run out 26-12 winners.
An early score from Callum Montgomery should have been the spark for Saints to kick on, but a number of unforced errors resulted in too many turnovers and they allowed Rangers to level.
In the second half, Callan Whittaker scored out wide before adding a second with a break from his own half, but Rangers hit back with a try of their own.
Both side traded scores — Jack Marsden touched down for Saints — but the points were safe once Whittaker completed his hat-trick.
He went on to add a fourth, while Ashley Forde was successful with one conversion.
The under-12s continued their great start to the campaign with a 28-0 defeat of Folly Lane.
Sam Akeroyd put Paul Ainsworth over the line to break the deadlock, while further tries followed from Jack Morrison, Ryan Lynch (two) and man-of-the-match Sam Akeroyd (two).
Josh Berry and Paul Ainsworth added goals.
But the under-10s suffered their first defeat of the season as they went down 34-14 to Halton Farnworth Hornets, of Widnes.
The youngsters paid the price for a poor first-half display — they trailed 20-0 at half-time — but improved after the break with tries from James Barran, Thomas Armstrong and Cameron Molloy, who ran on to a short ball from man-of-the-match Owen Baldwin.
Regan Croft and Anthony Wooley played well for Saints, claiming the top tackler and most improved player awards respectively.
Tattersall takes the plaudits
A SOLID defensive display from Michael Tattersall — the full-back earned the man-of-the-match award — was the cornerstone of a 16-2 success for Saddleworth Rangers under-16s against Golborne Parkside.
Sam Shaw produced a fine performance at hooker, while Joe Greenwood excelled in defence.
Tries came from Michael Pursey, Lewis Hough and Jack Francis, Tattersall slotting over two goals.
The under-13s made it four wins out of four with an emphatic 48-4 defeat over Portico Vine.
Rangers ran in nine tries from seven different players.
Bowden Morgan was man-of-the-match, Dominic Elkin picked up the coaches’ award and Jed Mawdsley collected the top tackler trophy.
Playing down the slope, the under-14s surged into an 18-0 lead at the half-way stage of their match against Orrell St James.
The influential Ben White (two) and second rower Jack Connor got the tries. White also added three conversions.
But St James stormed back as Rangers tired to win 26-18. Ryan Maneely was named man of the match after an industrious game at hooker.
With Churchill playing fields waterlogged, the under-12s were forced to play their third consecutive game away from home.
They came up against a well-drilled Orrell St James side and were beaten 24-4.
Man-of-the-match Joel Pearson proved a handful for the opposition, making good yards, while other good attacking performances came from Vince McGuinness, Joe Hodgson and Adam Davies.
Ten points adrift at the break, a nice try from James Tetlow reduced the arrears.
But the momentum was soon back with St James, who exploited the slope and a full bench of reserves to stretch their advantage.
North-West Counties Youth League
CALLUM Casey, Gareth Daynes and Jonny Fullalove caught the eye for Oldham St Anne’s under-18s in a 48-16 win over Langworthy Reds.
Ben Marsden picked up the man-of-the-match award for a strong running game at prop.
Results are —
Under-18s, division one: Oldham St Anne’s 48, Langworthy Reds 16.
Under-16s, premier division: Folly Lane 10, Oldham St Anne’s 10. Division two: Golborne Parkside 2, Saddleworth Rangers 18.
Higginshaw’s spirited show
DESPITE missing six players because of injury or illness — they were down to the bare 13 — Higginshaw under-14s showed great tenacity to defeat Latchford Unicorns 28-14.
Behind after six minutes, they responded to lead 16-8 at half-time, before pulling away in the second period.
Ryan Standring (two), Bradley Turner, Nyle Reyburn and Jack Hughes got the tries, while Jamie Mayall kicked four conversions.
