Danby holds his nerve for victory

OLDHAM ‘A’ pulled off an excellent 15-13 victory over Ashton-on-Mersey in a cracking match at Manor Park.

The team from Cheshire had only lost once going into the game, conceding just 64 points in eight matches, but Oldham fielded one of their strongest line-ups for quite a few years for a rare meeting between the clubs.

After a fiercely-fought opening 20 minutes, Oldham made the breakthrough with an excellent try, starting from a scrum in their own half.

Matt Brogan’s quick break and well-timed pass let in Chris Heap, who drew the defence before supplying Will Mellor for a touchdown which Michael Collinge converted.

Ashton responded quickly, the forwards laying siege to the Oldham line before forcing their way over on the left.

And they went 8-7 ahead before the interval with a penalty after Oldham drifted offside at the ruck.

Early in the second period, Ashton were reduced to 14 men by a sin-binning for dissent and Oldham cashed in as Mellor went over after good work by Matty Collins and Scott Danby.

Back came Ashton again as, following a series or rucks, they created an overlap to squeeze over in the corner and regain the lead.

However, as the game entered the final ten minutes, the decisive moment came when Danby calmly wrong-footed the defence before landing a drop goal from 20 metres to clinch victory for Oldham.

EXTRA ‘A’ enjoyed a 22-0 win over Littleborough 4ths, despite the absence of front-rower Steve Kennedy, who has been ordered to rest a neck injury for a few weeks.

Gary Phelan set Oldham on their way, breaking from the back of a scrum and shrugging off two tackles to touch down.

Oldham had to wait until the second half to extend their lead, Mark Fitton releasing Lee Moran for an excellent try which Jason Green converted.

And they soon made their pack superiority count when prop Matt Burgess forced his way over from ten metres.

Some sloppy play threatened to let Littleborough back in it, but the Oldham forwards again set a platform in their own 22 and quick ball through the backs saw Moran score under the sticks.

OLDHAM Colts took advantage as Congleton Colts arrived with only 14 players and went home with a 31-0 defeat.

Congleton held Oldham well for the first 20 minutes until a pick-up and drive from Elliot Wright from a ruck produced the first try, converted by Calum Megram.

Two more tries followed in the first half by Kundia Shumba and Wright to make it 17-0.

And Oldham wrapped up victory with second-half scores from Wayne Clarke and Wright. Megram converted both.

OLDHAM under-14s travelled to Heaton Moor for their third Lancashire Cup pool meeting of the season and came away with a 22-22 draw.

Ryan Arundale, Dominic Scott, Zac Strudwick and John Kenny were the try-scorers for Oldham, who were denied victory by a late unconverted try.