Two-try Kelly the cup hero

AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE: JON KELLY was the hero for Oldham St Anne’s, who reached round two of the North-West Counties Challenge Cup with an 18-12 win at home to Haydock.

Kelly scored two tries as Saints dug deep to come out on top in a hard-fought clash.

Ryan Grimbridge put St Anne’s ahead after a break from hooker Luke Clegg. Steve McHugh was successful with the goal attempt.

But Haydock were level by the interval when prop forward Richard Page forced his way over and Chris Lloyd converted.

The second half started at a frenetic pace, and a Kelly try regained the lead for St Anne’s.
Tempers flared and the referee sent Grimbridge and Haydock’s Anthony Atkinson to the sidelines to cool off for 10 minutes.

With McHugh off the field, Sean Hamilton added a penalty for the hosts, but Haydock once again restored parity when Lloyd converted his own try.

Both teams went for broke in a tense last quarter, but it was Kelly who recorded the vital score and, with Ben Fitzhugh adding the goal, Saints had secured the tie.

HOLLINWOOD’S tie at Liversedge in the Pennine League’s Andrew Bennett Memorial Trophy was postponed.