Close-fought defeat

OLDHAM Rugby Union 2nds went into their match at Rochdale 3rds on the back of three straight victories, but left defeated after a closely fought 26-24 loss.

With the advantage of the wind behind their backs and playing down a sloping pitch, Oldham scored after only four minutes when a penalty try was awarded.

Further tries from Dom Hall and Rob Turkington, although not converted, put the visitors in a commanding position with a 17-0 half-time lead.

The game was completely turned around in the second half as it was Rochdale’s turn to harness the advantages on offer.

Two tries inside the opening 15 minutes of the half brought the home side back into the game before a superb solo try from Neil Forsythe just after the hour mark was converted and put Oldham into a 24-12 lead.

But it wasn’t enough as Rochdale scored another try before the controversial last play of the game.

A scrum on Oldham’s own line should have been a formality, but the referee penalised the scrum-half for ‘feeding’.

The home side took a quick-tap penalty and managed to bustle through the Oldham defence to score a try which was duly converted to give Rochdale victory.

Oldham Vets were comfortable 54-3 home winners over Didsbury Toc H. After losing the away fixture earlier in the season, mainly due to the fact they they travelled to Didsbury with only a 10-man squad, Oldham were in determined mood.

The teams traded penalties before Oldham upped their game and left Didsbury in their wake.

First-half tries from Mark Martin, Cain Lowther and Robert Froggatt put Oldham in complete control at the interval.

The onslaught continued in the second half as tries from Jason Green, Jimmy Mitchell, a second from Lowther and one for Andy Hodgkinson wrapped up a resounding victory. Mark Martin’s impressive conversion rate was also key to the win.