Wardle scare overshadows defeat

OLDHAM RUFC’S 36-0 league defeat at Wigton seemed irrelevant after prop forward Paul Wardle sustained what looked like a serious injury.

Play was halted for 25 minutes early in the second half when Wardle injured his neck after a scrum collapsed. An ambulance was summoned and Wardle placed in a neck brace as he was rushed to hospital.

Happily, X-rays revealed nothing worse than severe whiplash and he was allowed to return home with the team.

Oldham also suffered another injury blow when newly-signed winger Ben Mayers pulled a thigh muscle early in the game.

It was another bad day for Oldham, who are still looking for their first victory of the season in North Lancs/Cumbria division.

This was a third straight defeat for the Manor Park side as they were unable to cause an upset at the table-topping Cumbrian club.

Oldham fell behind after four minutes to a try from winger John Wright following a rolling maul.

Ryan Jackson thought he had equalised soon after but the referee adjudged him to have been held up as he forced his way over the line.

Wigton doubled their advantage midway through the opening period with a try from winger Tom Gardiner.

Back-row forward John Storey scored Wigton’s third try on the half-hour and they scored two more before half time from Stuart Creighton and Robert Marrs after Jackson was sin-binned. Tane Manihere kicked both conversions as the home side finished the opening period 29-0 ahead.

Oldham, to their credit, produced an improved second-half display and had chances to get on the scoresheet, with scrum-half Phil Graham having a good game as he supplied ball to the backs and assisted the forwards.

They restricted Wigton to one try from No 8 Matthew Atkinson which was converted by Manihere, despite having another 10-minute spell with 14 men after Rob Fryer was sin-binned for retaliation.