Derby success for RU men

HOPWOOD Hall rugby league team are celebrating a league and cup double. After claiming the North-West premier division title, they have won the regional Carnegie Champion Colleges cup competition. After overcoming Priestley of Warrington in the quarter-finals and Salford in the semis, Matt Calland’s men beat Cowley of St Helens 28-14 in a final played at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan.

RUGBY UNION:

OLDHAM RU 3rds returned from Rochdale 4ths with a 22-12 victory.

They raced into an early lead thanks to tries from Ryan Wan and Phil Walmsley, the second of which was converted by Lee Whitehead.

With Steve Kennedy and Keith Chadwick leading the way, Oldham kept a grip on the game in the first half, Whitehead adding another touchdown after Rochdale had reduced the arrears with a converted score.

The second half was a much tighter and heated affair with both teams showing grit and determination.

Rochdale hopes were dashed when Oldham finally broke down the defence with 15 minutes to go, Jack Taylor going over in the corner to round off an excellent passage of play.

The home side rallied late to score a try of their own but it was too late to trouble the visitors.

OLDHAM Vets/4ths booked their place in the semi-finals of the Raging Bull Plate tournament with a 30-17 win over Aldwinians 4ths.

The game was played at a frenetic pace and Aldwinians were first to make headway when they scored a breakaway try after 20 minutes.

Jim Forster reduced the arrears with a penalty, but Aldwinians extended their lead with a converted try.

Oldham responded with some great ball handling from the backs enabling Lee Moran to go over for a try.

And, almost straight away, Moran latched on to a grubber kick from Steve Molloy to touch down again to give Oldham a 13-12 half-time advantage.

Aldwinians were back in front with a try shortly after the restart, but Oldham started to get on top and a good move from the forwards saw Glenn Aylett touch down to make it 18-17.

After surviving a period of pressure, Oldham broke away to score through Chris Gill, Jim Forster adding the conversion.

And they wrapped up victory with a fine try from Dom Hall to secure a last-four meeting with Orrell 2nds on April 17.


THE Vets/4ths had to play their second game in three days to catch up on fixtures missed during the bad weather earlier in the year.

They managed to beat an under-strength Broughton 2nd by 17-5.

After lending the visitors several players, Oldham were frustrated in the opening period, which ended 0-0.

The second half saw the makeshift Broughton side take the lead with a good breakaway try, but Oldham started to pile on the pressure and equalised with a try from Scott Danby.

Youngster Callum Megram added another try and John Souter also went over, Scott Danby converting.