Oldham inching to safety

Photo: Picture by CHRIS SUNDERLAND

Chris McKenzie wins a line-out for Oldham.

RUGBY UNION:

Oldham RU 38, Fleetwood 22

AN excellent game of open rugby saw Oldham move away from the relegation places by scoring five tries to Fleetwood’s three – and the tally would have been greater but for last-pass errors or knock-ons.

Oldham goalkicker Andy Gorey was on top form with six successful kicks from as many attempts, using the wind to curl the ball between the posts.

But once again this was a team performance from the Manor Park men.

The forwards laid the platform, having the edge in the scrums and driving back the opposition to give Gareth Barber quality ball which he used well to set up dangerous moves.

Oldham opened the scoring with a try by wing Will Mellor.

A move involving Mark Goodman, Barber, Joe Hesse and Phil Graham ended with Mellor diving in at the corner. Gorey converted.

Fleetwood hit back with a penalty, but Oldham extended their lead when Mellor fed Barber to score a try which was converted again.

Fleetwood came out for the second half in fired-up mood and a try from Scott Aspin, converted by Lee Jones, reduced the deficit to 17-15.

But Oldham regained control and, after a series of drives on the opposition line, the ball was moved out and Dean McEwan tumbled over for a converted try.

With 68 minutes on the clock, a superb try created by fast hands along the backs set up Gorey for another converted try.

Four minutes later, another fine move saw Hesse send in Froggatt at the corner and Gorey converted once again.

There was some consolation for Fleetwood a minute from time when Dale Thompson’s try was converted but, with two games remaining, Oldham are out of the drop zone.

They are away to Eccles tomorrow (7pm) and take on Netherall on Saturday.

Tomorrow (meet club at 5.45pm): C Hepptonstall, J Edwards,D McEwan, J Suiter, N Hackman, J Taylor, M Collinge, A Waterhouse, P Graham, A Gorey, J Hesse, J Watson, O Davies, C Meagram, R Froggatt, S Barrett, B Massey, R Cooper.