Six-try RU men notch vital win

OLDHAM RU bounced back to form with a comfortable 40-7 home win over lowly Netherall in North Lancs/Cumbria Division.

The forwards laid the foundation by holding the opposition in the set pieces. Ryan Jackson led the way and Nick Hackman, making an impressive home debut along with Jack Hawkins, also shone.

Gareth Barber orchestrated the backs, while the centre pairing of Joe Hesse and Mark Goodman was excellent.

From the kick-off, Oldham had to defend and Netherall had two failed attempts at goal.

However, Oldham took the lead after 15 minutes when Hesse made a break, supported by Goodman who released Barber to score.

Barber then launched the move for a superb second try, breaking on the blindside from near his own touchline and switching the ball inside where it was moved right across the backs for Andy Gorey to score in the right-hand corner.

Netherall responded when they charged down a clearance kick and gathered to score a converted try. But Goodman’s penalty earned Oldham a 13-7 interval lead.

The advantage was extended when Kyle Howard followed up a Barber kick into the in-goal to touch down and Goodman soon added a penalty for 21–7.

Oldham assumed complete control and added another length-of-the-field try when the ball passed through several pairs of hands before Gorey released Jordan McEwen to drive over the line.

Goodman’s kick to the corner was then followed up by Gorey, whose try was converted by Goodman.

Fittingly, Barber had the final say in the last minute when he rounded off a well-worked move with a try which Goodman converted.