Oldham relegation worries ease

OLDHAM RUFC eased their relegation fears in North Lancs/Cumbria division with a deserved 17-10 home win against high-flying Tyldesley.

The Manor Park side turned the division's form book on its head with a display which belied their lowly league standing.

Such is the tightness of the division that Oldham leapt from second bottom to fifth place after their success against Tyldesley, who started the day in second spot.

Oldham produce a fine all-round performance, with their much-maligned pack answering many of its critics.

They shoved Tyldesley back and won three scrums against the head to underline their supremacy.

Former player-coach Steve Molloy and Rob Fryer were the pick of the pack men, while in the backs the centre pairing of Lancashire colts player Michael Ward and Joe Hesse was always a threat.

It was a performance which gave Oldham only their third league victory and renewed hope they can beat the drop if they can keep a settled side.

Yet it was an afternoon which had an inauspicious start as Tyldesley opened the scoring in the 15th minute through a try from scrum-half Lee Cunliffe.

Tyldesley had beaten Bury 104-0 the previous week in the EDF Energy Senior Vase so it was always going to be a massive test for the local side.

But they displayed grit and determination as they were soon ahead after an interception by Hesse, who sprinted half the length of the field so score, with Gareth Barber kicking the two extra points.

Straight from the kick off, Oldham forged even further ahead thanks to a try from pack-man Fryer.

Matt Brogan caught the ball from the kick-off and drove forward. Scrum-half Mark Goodman and Fryer played a delightful interchange of passes before Fryer forced his way over the line as Oldham finished the half with a 12-5 advantage.

They went further ahead in the 64th minute with their decisive third try of the afternoon, again after good work by the forwards.

They won a penalty and Adam Waterhouse took a quick tap and barged his way over the line from 10 metres. Barber was unlucky to hit the post with his conversion.

Tyldesley scored their second try in the fourth minute of stoppage time from replacement Dave Edge, but it was a case of too little, too late.