Union men pay for poor start

OLDHAM RUFC paid the price for a disappointing start as their recent good run in North Lancs/Cumbria division came to an end with a 17-11 defeat at Heaton Moor.

Oldham, who had won three of their previous four league games to ease their relegation worries, were unable to recover after conceding two tries in the opening 15 minutes.

And though the Manor Park players fought back and dominated long periods of the game, they were unable to undo the damage done early in the game.

Oldham more than matched Moor ‘s pack in the scrums, apart from conceding one pushover try, while in the backs James Wilkinson and Gareth Barber had good games.

Oldham were forced to make a late change in the pack after Rob Burston cried off so veteran Paddy Farnan won a call-up in the second row.

Moor, whose side included three Czech Republic players, two from Brazil and one apiece from South Africa and New Zealand, had one of their overseas players to thank for their superb start.

Czech winger Ivan Smetana, whose electrifying pace unsettled the Oldham defence, scored both tries after two and 15 minutes, each following fine handling moves.

Chris Ogden-Smith converted the second try as Moor found themselves in the driving seat with a 12-0 lead after quarter of an hour.

Oldham steadied the ship and there were no further scored in the opening half.

It took Oldham 52 minutes to find a way on to the scoresheet and then Gareth Barber kicked two penalties in quick succession to half the deficit.

Moor’s third and match-clinching try came 10 minutes from time after pack man Ziggy Vatikions was injured and the home side scored with a pushover as South African coach and back-row forward Keith Young dived over the line to increase their lead to 17-6.

Oldham’s one and only try came in the 72nd minute when Andy Gorey kicked the ball through the Moor defence and won the chase to the line. Barber had the misfortune of seeing his conversion hit the upright.

Though Oldham camped on the Moor line for the remainder of the game, they were unable to conjure a second try which would have given them the chance to snatch victory.