Gorey treble for Oldham

ANDY GOREY was Oldham RUFC's hat-trick hero in a vital 24-14 victory at Burnley in North Lancs/Cumbria division.

The pacy left winger touched down three times in the second half as Oldham's recent revival continued. They are inching towards mid-table safety after spending much of the campaign entrenched in the danger zone.

It was a defeat which leaves Burnley, who won 50-24 at Manor Park earlier in the season, rooted in the relegation places.

Oldham's side was reinforced by the return of big hitters such as Steve Molloy, Michael Ward, Peter Scrivens, Adam Waterhouse and Rob Fryer.

But it was an afternoon not without its problems after losing pack pair Joe Hesse and Dean McEwan. Hesse was ruled out through work while hooker McEwan simply failed to show up.

They also had to overcome adversity after being reduced to 14 players twice in the match as Fryer and Ziggy Vatikions were both sin-binned.

Oldham also found themselves in trouble with the referee as the penalty count was 16-4 in favour of Burnley.

Matt Brogan gave Oldham the lead, Barber adding the conversion midway through the first half.

Burnley reduced the deficit with two penalties from winger Phil Hesketh who kicked the hosts 9-7 ahead early in the second period.

Oldham regained the lead shortly before the hour mark when Gorey ran 50 metres, cutting past inside the opposing full back to score. And he added a second two minutes later.

When Burnley second-row forward Paul Smith drove over the line in the last minute of normal time for a try which reduced the deficit to 19-14 it set up a nerve-jangling finish.

But when a dangerous Burnley move broke down, Gorey intercepted a pass and ran half the length of the field to score in the corner and complete his treble.