No reward for show of spirit

RUGBY UNION: THERE was honour in defeat for Oldham, who lost 18-0 at Upper Eden in North Lancs and Cumbria Division One.

Coach Guy Lovegreen was forced into several changes for the long trip, but his side deserved at least a score for a spirited display.

After conceding 18 points in the first half, Oldham gave as good as they got after the break and the performance offered hope for the future.

Forwards Jake Watson and Nick Hardman played in the backs, while Daniel Morton and Liam Armstrong were named in the starting XV.

Charlie Roscoe did well at scrum-half and Lovegreen organised from stand-off.

The forwards held the scrum and line-out, and produced some great mauls, but were unable to find a way over the try-line.

As is often the case in Cumbria, Oldham were on the wrong side of the penalty count, which was 10-2 in Eden’s favour in the first half.

The hosts went in front with an 11th-minute penalty from Matt Allinson, which was followed by try from winger Sam Dawson.

Oldham felt aggrieved by Eden’s next score.

An Oldham player touched the ball down over his own try-line after a kick through, but instead of the visitors being a awarded a 22-metre drop-out, a scrum was given to Eden. The referee decided that an Oldham player had carried the ball over the try-line.

From the resulting play, Philip Sinclair dived over to score, with Allinson adding the extras.

Allinson also kicked a penalty to put his side 18 points in front at the half-way stage.

With nothing to lose, Oldham piled on the pressure in the second period, and only a strong defence kept the Manor Park outfit at bay.


Depleted ‘A’ team slip

OLDHAM ‘A’ were beaten 28-0 by their Upper Eden counterparts — but the Manor Park outfit only had 12 players of their own.


The visitors, who were loaned two players by Eden, should have been in front after three minutes, but were denied by an unfortunate knock-on.

Eden took advantage and went ahead moments later with a converted try.

Oldham kept probing in the first half, with half-backs Louis Fitton and Scott Danby performing well behind the pack.

In defence, Matt Jakeman, Andy Wood and Chris Booth put in some big hits.

However, try as they might, Oldham just couldn’t find that final, decisive pass.

Oldham were down to 13 men in the second half, and gaps started to show.

Eden scored two converted tries in three minutes to effectively kill off the game.

To their credit Oldham never looked like throwing in the towel, and their tactic of picking and driving constantly had the Eden scrum on the back foot.

But Eden scored again on the hour mark to finally end Oldham’s resistance.


THE third team piled up 128 unanswered points at home to Littleborough thirds, who could only field 12 players.

Oldham capitalised on every mistake and the game was as good as over at half-time.