Rae’s sin-bing sinks Oldham RU

JOE RAE’S sin-binning proved a pivotal moment in Oldham RUFC’s fortunes as they lost 27-20 at Wigan in the third round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase.

When the second-row forward was banished from the field on Saturday for deliberately killing the ball in a scrum, Oldham held a commanding 17-5 advantage.

But by the time Rae returned 10 minutes later, there was a completely different complexion to the cup tie.

Wigan scored 14 points in the absence of Rae as they turned a deficit into a 19-17 advantage. And in a match when the margins were so fine, Rae’s indiscretion proved so costly.

Oldham’s young team - seven current colts players were in the side - had the first use of an icy wind at their backs and they made full use of it, building a 17-5 lead in the opening period.

They made the initial breakthrough after 10 minutes following a series of penalties as Waterhouse drove over the line, with Gareth Barber kicking the conversion.

Wigan quickly reduced the deficit with a try from winger Tom Wood, but Oldham’s second try after 25 minutes was a peach. They won the ball from a scrum, with Adam Langley and Barber setting up Michael Ward, who touched down after a superb angled run. Barber added the conversion and kicked a penalty as Oldham went 17-5 up after 35 minutes.

Rae was then sin-binned and before half time Andy Whittle scored a try which he converted himself to narrow the gap to 17-12 at the break.

Three minutes after the restart Wigan, still with an extra man, went ahead with a try from second-row forward Nick Wilkinson.

Whittle added the conversion and kicked a penalty as Wigan went 22-17 up.

Barber kicked a penalty to reduce the gap to 22-20 but, with 13 minutes left, winger Danny Winrow scored Wigan’s fourth and final try which sealed victory despite Oldham’s spirited late efforts.