Spirited RU earn first win

OLDHAM RUFC’S fighting spirit won through as they beat Upper Eden 17-11 at Manor Park to record their first victory of the season in North Lancs/Cumbria division.

After three successive defeats, it was important for Oldham to belatedly get off the mark which they did following a hard-fought game which could have gone either way.

It was an improved performance by the forwards, though there was still a tendency to concede needless penalties.

Oldham took an early lead through a try from Andy Gorey who latched on to cross-kick from Gareth Barber before cutting inside an opponent to dash to the line. Barber kicked the two extra points.

A penalty from Matthew Andrews got Upper Eden on the scoresheet before Oldham extended their lead midway through the opening period.

Ryan Jackson stole the ball in a ruck and released Barber who touched down and also kicked the conversion as Oldham forged 14-3 ahead.

chances

The deficit was reduced to six points by a try from centre James Robinson before a Barber penalty gave Oldham a 17-8 lead.

It looked as though it might not be Oldham’s day as fate conspired against them when wingers Gorey and Charlie Roscoe had tries disallowed in quick succession.

And that was reinforced when Andrews kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit to 17-11 after 53 minutes.

The final quarter of the game was end to end with both teams having chances to score.

And Oldham were spared another defeat by try-saving tackles from Rob Fryer and Will Mellor.

THE two teams observed one minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of Les Eyres, the former Oldham captain and hooker, who died on Thursday at the age of 83.

Les, who played for Oldham in the 1950s, was also a former committee man at Manor Park where he was a life member and patron.