Night to forget

RUGBY UNION: IT is quite unusual for teams at the level Oldham are playing at to have night matches, but because of the disruption through snow and frozen pitches earlier in the year the ‘A’ team game against Glossop was rearranged for a sunny evening in April.

But it was the visitors who had cause to celebrate in the sun as they won 32-10.

After falling behind to an early penalty, Oldham’s forwards began to gain some momentum only for a move to break down, allowing the Glossop winger to dash half the length of the pitch for a touchdown.

Five minutes later, Oldham did manage to get on the scoresheet when, from a rolling maul, scrum-half Matty Collins scooted through the narrowest of gaps for a try.

Glossop increased their lead with a try after 23 minutes and, five minutes later, added another. Oldham full-back Calum Megram dislodged the ball in a tackle and it bounced off him to the supporting Glossop player who scored despite appeals for offside.

Oldham got back in it when Michael Collinge got the final touch following a 30-metre rolling maul, but Glossop’s converted try just before the interval left the home side with a mountain to climb at 27-10 behind.

And that mountain got steeper only four minutes into the second half when Oldham conceded another converted try.

The game became rather disjointed as the referee seemed to want to speak to the captains at regular intervals, pulling both teams up for infringements that no-one else seemed aware of.

And, after 62 minutes the whole ground fell silent in amazement as the referee blew his whistle, declaring he wasn’t taking any more comments and ending the game.

OLDHAM 3rds were below form as they lost 24–7 at home to Glossop.

They were without seven of the players who helped register a six-game winning streak and seemed to lack motivation.

The first ten minutes saw Oldham start the brighter, scoring a breakaway try from Andy Newton converted by Anthony Beswick, but from then on it was all downhill.

Glossop scored a converted try just before the interval and dominated the second half with three more touchdowns, one converted.

Chris Shipman, an ever-present this season, was one of the few Oldham players to emerge with credit.


ORRELL turned out a very strong side to beat Oldham Vets 62-5 in the semi-finals of the Raging Bull Trophy competition.



Juniors in Bowl triumph

OLDHAM’S under-14s beat Ashton-under-Lyne 29-19 in the final of the Lancashire Bowl competition, at Manor Park.

Tries from Zac Strudman, Dominic Smith and Danny Greenwood, two of which were converted by centre Ellis Catherall, gave Oldham the early advantage before Ashton replied with a converted try

Ashton improved after the break, but Oldham extended their lead with a second try by Zac Strudman before the visitors scored two breakaway tries to reduce the deficit.

Oldham, however, scored their fifth try through centre James Young to clinch the tie.

Captain Thad Kenny lifted the cup, presented by Oldham president Taff Williams, in front of a sizeable crowd. The man of the match award went to centre Ellis Catherall for his strong running and tackling.