Penalty denies RU lads victory

OLDHAM RUFC Colts ended Wigan’s 100-per-cent record after holding them to an 8-8 draw in their top-of-the-table clash at Manor Park.

Michael Ward set up a try for Josh Collinge after half an hour, the only score in a hard-fought opening period.

But for some last-ditch defending from Wigan, Oldham could easily have had three or four further tries.

Wigan drew level in the second period but Oldham looked to have won the game in the dying minutes through a Ward drop goal.

However, a moment of madness, when Oldham conceded a penalty inside their own 22-metre line, saw Wigan achieve parity.

A depleted Oldham ‘A’ XV were beaten 26-14 at home by Sale.

Oldham had 11 positional and personnel changes from the previous week, though you would never have guessed it as they made all the early running and were rewarded by an Ian White try following a fine handling move. Daniel Simpson added an excellent conversion from out wide.

Sadly, from that moment things began to go wrong as No 8 Daryl Renshaw dislocated an elbow and, while down to 14 men, Sale equalised and then established a 14-7 half-time lead through a disputed try with Oldham claiming it followed a forward pass.

The Oldham pack tired in the second half as Sale extended their advantage to 26-7.

Oldham scored a consolation try late on when Jason Green, who refused to come off with an ankle injury, intercepted a pass and hobbled 30 metres to score by the posts with Simpson adding the conversion.

Extra ‘A’ were well beaten 57-12 at Didsbury Toc H where they arrived with only 12 players.

The hosts generously loaned Oldham two players, but they still had a numerical disadvantage.

Oldham did well to hold Toc H to a 15-5 half-time lead, Mike Douthwaite scoring for the local side. But the lack of numbers took its toll in the second half as Toc H extended their lead.

Oldham managed a second try, however, as Mark Fitton touched down and converted his own score.