Weakened RUFC slammed by Burnage

OLDHAM RUFC’S 24-0 Lancashire Trophy defeat against Burnage at Manor Park was hardly a big surprise given the weakened side they fielded.

With over half their regular team absent, it was always going to be a tough task against opponents from a similar level in the RU structure.

Oldham were able, however, to take a number of positives from the cup clash as for long periods they matched their opponents, even with seven of their former colts players on the pitch including Josh Denbigh, Luke Roscoe, Michael Collinge and Mark Goodman.

Oldham fell behind to a 10th minute try from stand-off Stuart Oldham who broke from a scrum on the half-way line to score by the posts, leaving an easy conversion for James Knight who also kicked a penalty as Burnage opened a 10-0 lead midway through the half.

Gareth Barber narrowly missed a long-range penalty early in second half, Oldham’s best chance to get on to the scoresheet.

Burnage scored their second try after 54 minutes from No 8 John Hall following a drive from the forwards. And they went over again in the dying seconds following a rolling maul with Alan Jones touching down. Knight converted both times.