Youthful RU no match for Moor

OLDHAM RUFC ‘A’ XV found top-of-the-table Heaton Moor too hot to handle as they crashed to a 37-0 home defeat in division four east of the North West Intermediate League.

Apart from stand-in captain Les Jones, who is in his fifties, the average age of the remainder of the team was around 20 years, making it one of their youngest-ever ‘A’ teams.

And despite the defeat, the future of the club looks bright judging from the young players who are emerging.

Moor, who have a 100-per-cent record, scored two tries in the opening 10 minutes and again shortly before the break to establish a 17-0 interval lead.

Oldham made a bright start to the second period before running out of steam and conceding four further tries.

Ian Knight, Matt Burgess, Lee Howard and Danny Simpson all had good games.


EXTRA ‘A’, also playing in division four east, crashed to a 47-3 defeat at Aldwinians where all they could muster was a Mark Fitton penalty.

VETS, playing in division five east, lost 17-5 in their derby against Rochdale at Manor Park.

The return of several players after injury strengthened Oldham whose try came from Mark Hodgson and was converted by George Bernard.


COLTS allowed a half-time lead to slip as they lost 18-5 at home to Widnes.

A try from Shaun Heginbottom gave Oldham the lead and they were 5-3 ahead at the break.

Widnes took charge in the second period scoring two tries, one conversion and one penalty.