Union men sign off with victory

OLDHAM RUFC secured a long overdue first win in the Lake District in their final game of the season in North Lancs/Cumbria division.

After returning empty-handed from all their previous visits to Cumbria this campaign, the Manor Park side finally emerged with some cheer, winning 38-19 at Upper Eden.

And it was a deserved victory in which influential captain and stand-off Gareth Barber led from the front scoring a hat-trick of tries.

Oldham found themselves 6-0 down after only seven minutes to two Rick Park penalties.

But they soon inched 7-6 ahead as Kemp’s superb break set up Barber who dived over the line, Goodman kicking the conversion.

Upper Eden regained the lead with a Park penalty before Oldham went back in front after Barber made a break and linked with Michael Ward before touching down. Goodman kicked the extra points.

Oldham extended their advantage to 21-9 at the break with a try from Hesse, converted by Goodman.

Barber completed his hat-trick three minutes after the restart, Goodman again adding the extras as Oldham moved 28-9 ahead.

Upper Eden clawed their way back into the game with two tries in quick succession from Bud Brown and Alan Jones as the hosts capitalised on their visitors having Ward and Goodman sin-binned.

Oldham weathered the storm and made sure of victory with a late scoring burst in which a penalty was kicked by Barber who then linked with Kemp who scored in the corner - Goodman kicking a superb conversion from the touchline.