Under-14s make instant impact

ON THE CHARGE: Billy McDermott, of Oldham Service Area under-12s, attempts to break through the Wigan and Leigh line.

A TALENTED Oldham Service Area under-14s side started the season in style with a 24-14 win against their Wigan and Leigh counterparts.

Bossing the game from the off, the outstanding visitors constantly had the home side on the back foot.

Tries from Ryan Maneely (two), Patrick Fitzsimmons, Ryan Standring and Danny Richardson, plus two Bradbury goals, provided the points which enabled the team to get off to a flyer in the first round of representative games.

The other sides in action didn’t fare quite so well, though Oldham’s under-15s will feel aggrieved to have lost 26-10 away from home in what was a tight contest.

At the halfway mark, Oldham led 10-8 thanks to a superb team try, which was finished off by Jonathan Foulds, and an effort from full-back Kyle Mayall, off a grubber kick from the excellent Danny Yates.

Ben Whitehead capped a solid personal performance by kicking a goal.

In the second half Oldham constantly pressured Wigan and Leigh, only to be held up over the line twice and narrowly miss out on several occasions.

Stand-out performers were the hard running second row partnership of Ryan Bradbury and Nathan Mason, while hooker Ryan Powell orchestrated the Oldham forwards well and tackled strongly.

Oldham’s under-12s lost 30-0 at home to a strong Wigan and Leigh outfit.

The final score served to flatter the visitors, who pounced on Oldham’s mistakes.

Harry Godferry was at the heart of everything for the home side, while Isaac Noi was excellent in attack and gave Wigan problems every time he went forward.