Saints hit by late try flurry

OLDHAM St Anne’s and Waterhead both kicked off their respective National Conference League season with defeats.

Saints, playing away at Widnes St Marie’s in division one, fell victim to a late flurry of tries while Waterhead coach Mick Slicker said he had “no complaints” as his side lost their first division two game 34-24 at home to Milford Marlins.

“We bombed a late try and had we scored then I think we would have gone on to win,” said Slicker.

“But it would have been unjust, to be honest. They were the more organised and better side.”

It was a struggle to get Mick Fogerty, back from the professional ranks at Keighley,registered in time to play but having done so, the centre was soon on the score sheet to level things up at 6-6.

Danny Mortin was next to score and with John Mitchell converting twice, Waterhead – whose outstanding performers were Terry Fitzgerald, Alan Williamson and Fogerty – held a six-point advantage.

Milford pulled away to take a 20-12 lead into the break and after that had been extended by a further converted try, Warren Druggitt helped pull it back to 26-18 with 25 minutes left.

An interception try and penalty made it 34-18 and Terry Fitzgerald’s Mitchell-goaled try reduced the deficit further.

St Anne’s were looking good for an away-day win when Rick Badby’s try, converted by Kiel Lancashire, gave them a 24-18 lead on the hour.

But the team crumbled defensively, conceding five tries in the last quarter in an entertaining clash.

A Chris Carter try and four Lancashire goals kept Saints in the game in the first half, going in to the break 18-12 down.

But on the resumption David Sweeney went over from dummy-half, Lancashire converting to level things up.

And Badby’s try then gave the visitors a lead – but it was one they ultimately couldn’t hold on to.

Lancashire was handed the man-of-the-match award and there were other good performances on the day from full-back Ryan Blake and young loose forward Chris Clarke.