Heavy defeat for Veterans

RUGBY UNION: OLDHAM RU Vets were the only one of the local club’s teams to get in a game at the weekend, their away match at Burnley being switched to Colne & Nelson’s ground as Burnley’s pitch was frozen.

Burnley fielded a very strong side, with the majority of their first team taking to the field having had their game at St Benedict’s postponed.

Facing fast backs and a strong, young pack, Oldham struggled to cope despite a valiant defensive display and went down 50-14.

Oldham had little success trying to break Burnley’s line but still managed two opportunist tries from Mark Fitton and Jason Green, who both converted their own scores.

The first team had a wasted trip to Eccles, despite being told at 12.30 that the ground was fit and playable.

Eccles had prepared their second-team pitch, which had been open to the bright early-morning sun, but it was obvious on arrival that the home team were not keen to play.

The captains agreed to give it until just before kick-off to make a decision and, although Oldham were willing to give it a go, Eccles were not keen and the referee called it off.

Oldham accepted this without any problem on safety grounds as earlier in the season Eccles’ Chris Tickle was tragically hurt in a game, sustaining injuries in a scrum from which he subsequently died.

Oldham’s second-team game against Sale 3rd was called off as the visitors could not raise a team. It was the fourth time Sale had failed to fulfil a fixture and they now face expulsion from the league.

Oldham declared their first-team pitch playable and the 4th team was due to play Bury 3rd. However, on arrival Bury declined to play.

This turned out to be a farcical decision as when the Oldham first team returned from Eccles, players from the 2nd and 4th teams joined them in playing an inter-club game on the pitch which Bury said wasn’t fit.

The Oldham Colts match against Rossendale Colts was postponed due to a frozen pitch.