Forward power decisive

ON THE BREAK . . . Mark Goodman’s surge is covered by Wigton’s John Wright.

RUGBY UNION:

OLDHAM gave it their best shot, but succumbed to the North Lancs/Cumbria leaders, whose powerful forwards proved too hot to handle.

The score hardly flattered an Oldham side who played particularly well in the second half, while the Wigton players admitted this was the hardest game they had faced this season.

Oldham started well and went close through Andy Gorey and Mike Douthwaite, but Wigton’s massive pack came to the fore, setting up Andrew Bell to score in the corner.

Former Workington rugby league player Tana Manihera was running the show from behind his pack and, following another kick and chase from Gorey, the Cumbrians hit back to enable centre John Wright to run through unopposed under the posts.

Despite some desperate defence by Oldham, winger Thomas Gardener went over in the corner and Pattinson converted from the touchline to make it 19-0.

David Wanning extended Wigton’s lead with a try in the corner but, following the break, Oldham started to win more ball in the rucks and put Wigton under constant pressure.

The Oldham backs were causing problems and both Gareth Barber and Mark Goodman made raids deep into enemy territory.

From one such foray, Barber used his centres as a foil and found full-back Gorey, who scored near the posts.

Goodman converted to make it 24-7 for the visitors.

Tempers flared on several occasions and Wigton No. 8 and captain Matthew Atkinson was fortunate to escape punishment for punching.

Yet five minutes later, Oldham’s Joe Hesse was sent to the sin bin for a tackle which was nothing more than a shoulder charge.

A man short, Oldham defended resolutely but the pressure told and Atkinson picked up to dive over, Manihera converting.

With the match well into injury time, Manihera darted past two defenders before releasing David Hanabury to score under the posts. Manihera converted to complete the scoring.




Old Bedians 2nds 6, Oldham 2nds 48



HAVING beaten Bedians 58-0 earlier in the season, this looked to be a comfortable fixture for Oldham.



They welcomed back Scott Danby, Chris Gill and Chris Heap into an already-strong line-up and took the lead when a neat chip by Danby bounced nicely for Brian Massey to score, Danby converting.

After Bedians scored with a penalty, Oldham went straight to the other end and a clever kick over the defence by Gill found Rhys Jones in space and his pass found Rob Froggett, who scored to the right of the posts. Danby goaled again.

Oldham were reduced to 14 men when the referee thought he saw a punch in the tackle and showed second-row man Lee Howard a red card. Bedians reduced the arrears to 14-6 with the resulting penalty kick.

Oldham withstood a brief Bedians onslaught before completing a comprehensive victory with tries from Nick Hackman, Matty Collins, Jason Green, Danby, Jason Connor (his first at senior level) and Heap.

Nick Hackman was named Oldham’s man of the match for his all-round effort and aggressive tackling.




Oldham 3rds 5, Chester 3rds 46



THIS Raging Bull Cup game went ahead following great work by Oldham’s ground and maintenance team, but within 15 minutes the home side found themselves 21-0 down



Garry Phelan reduced the arrears, and the first half ended with Chester being held up on the line by Mathew Holt, tracking back to make a superb tackle.

As Oldham tired after the break, Chester completed their points haul to end convincing winners.

Outstanding for Oldham was captain Paul Watson.




Oldham 4ths/Vets 22, Rossendale 3rds 8



AN Oldham team with a mix of youth and experience registered a deserved Raging Bull Cup victory.



Mark Hodge crashed over for the first try, which was converted by Danny Simpson, and Oldham extended their lead through Mark Fitton, a try goaled once again by Simpson.

After the break, Rossendale cut Oldham’s lead with a penalty and try, but Oldham regrouped and a Simpson penalty and Lee Moran try settled it.

Oldham’s next opponents in this competition will be North Manchester 2nds, who come to Manor Park on February 27.