Foster fine after injury concerns

THE air ambulance arrives at Manor Park but, thankfully, was not needed following an injury to Oldham’s Jordan Foster.

RUGBY UNION: 

OLDHAM RU’s third-team derby game with Rochdale was held up for 35 minutes due to a injury to hooker Jordan Foster.

The youngster hurt his neck when a scrum collapsed and an ambulance was called. The air ambulance also turned up but was not needed.

Fortunately, after being checked out at the Royal Oldham Hospital, Foster was diagnosed as having nothing worse than strained neck muscles and was able to return to Manor Park later.

Oldham shrugged off the delay as they recorded a 22–15 win over a Rochdale side second in the division.

Phil Walmsley’s try put them ahead in a fiercely-fought contest and he added a second at the end of an excellent move, Lee Whitehead converting.

Whitehead himself almost scored, having only the full-back to beat before pulling up with a damaged hamstring.

Rochdale hit back with a try and, as Oldham struggled with injury problems mounting, they piled on the pressure.

However, Walmsley completed a hat-trick of tries and John Farrell kicked a penalty which should have seen Oldham out of sight.

Unfortunately, the lost prop Steve Kennedy and Steve Connolly, both to yellow cards, and Rochdale finishing the game on top.


OLDHAM Vets/4th team were involved in a controversial 5-3 defeat at Stockport 5th.

An unconverted try from the home side and Danny Simpson’s long-range penalty for Oldham provided the only highlights of a dour match which was punctuated by constant stoppages for minor infringements by both sides.

The game was delayed when Oldham’s Chris Davis suffered a broken leg and, so fed up were both captains, they agreed to call a halt to proceedings with Oldham conceding.

However, the referee (former Manor Park player/coach Dave Smythe) refused to sanction the move and the game restarted.

Two minutes from the end, Oldham were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and the kicking tee was called for.

However, just before it arrived, the referee informed Danny Simpson he had only 30 seconds left to take the kick.

After Simpson quickly placed the ball and stepped forward to kick, the official blew his whistle and reversed the penalty for time wasting, bringing to an end a thoroughly miserable day.


OLDHAM 2nds lost 20–12 at Heaton Moor 2nds in a game littered with penalties.

Moor struck two in the first half, both for holding on after the tackle, but Oldham took an interval lead thanks to a Michael Collinge try from a rolling maul. Calum Megram added the conversion.

Another penalty, again for holding on, saw Moor go ahead after 43 minutes and they extended their lead with a try after some weak defending down Oldham’s right flank.

The visitors responded from a lineout when jumper Michael Collinge tapped the ball down from the top of the lift for John Maslen to burst round the blind side and score in the corner.

However, Oldham’s hopes were extinguished by three further penalties for offside in the closing stages.


THE under-14s lost 22–10 to their Heaton Moor counterparts in their first game for several weeks.

Behind early on to two tries, one converted, Oldham fought back well and replied with a good solo effort from centre Ellis Catherall only for Moor to extend their lead with another try just before half time.

Oldham started the second half brightly and were rewarded with an unconverted try by No.8 forward Ryan Pickles. However, Moor sealed the game with an unconverted try late on.