RU men back in the drop zone

Oldham RU 15, Heaton Moor 32

IT IS a case of one step forward and two back for Oldham RUFC following their 35-21 home defeat against Heaton Moor in North Lancs/Cumbria division.

After the previous week’s win at Fleetwood, which lifted the Manor Park side out of the relegation places, the defeat plunged the local side back into the danger zone.

And while it was a high scoring and entertaining game, the quality of play was poor as it was an error-strewn match in which Oldham were punished for another disappointing opening.

Oldham found themselves 17-0 down after 14 minutes and, though they inched their way back into the game, they disintegrated again in the second half as their ball retention was poor throughout.

Paddy Farnan came out of retirement to help strengthen the depleted front row of the pack which also saw Dean McEwan recalled as hooker.

And Oldham’s front row troubles continued in the second half when second-team prop Danny Savage came on for his first-team debut as a replacement but, after only three minutes, was forced to retire with a head injury.

There was a dreadful opening as tries from Martin Snidal, Peter Snetner and Phillipe De Silva, one of which was converted by Martin Shelley saw Heaton Moor establish a commanding 17-0 advantage.

Oldham got themselves on to the scoresheet in the 17th minute with a try from captain Gareth Barber which he converted.

They reduced the deficit to three points on the half-hour when James Wilkinson broke away to score, with Barber kicking the two extra points.

Oldham might have taken the lead soon afterwards when Michael Ward was stopped inches short of the line but was unable to release two players who were free on an overlap.

Instead, Shelley kicked penalties either side of the break as Heaton Moor established a 23-14 lead.

Midway through the second half it went from bad to worse for Oldham when David Huxley and Snetner scored tries, the first of which was converted by Shelley as the visitors surged 35-14 ahead.

Oldham scored a third try at the death after a period of forward pressure.

Adam Waterhouse powered his way over the line with Barber kicking the two extra points which were little more than a consolation.