Relief as St Anne’s hold on to record

RUGBY LEAGUE: OLDHAM St Anne’s held off Castleford Panthers to earn a 13-12 home victory at Higginshaw Road in Division One.

The game ended in dramatic fashion when Panthers player-coach Jamie Benn belted a 60-metre penalty goal attempt in stoppage time — only to see his terrific kick rebound off an upright, leaving Saints’ 100-per-cent home record intact.

The two sides had been locked at 12-12 going into the last couple of minutes of the game, before Kiel Lancashire ultimately settled matters with a field goal after levelling the scores with a penalty three minutes earlier.

Chris Carter opened the scoring for St Anne’s off a Lee Forsythe break and the visitors responded with a James Clarkson effort, converted by Benn.

It stayed 6-4 until after the break when St Anne’s man Dave Harris extended his arm to touch down for a Lancashire-goaled try.

Benn responded by claiming a try and adding the extra two points himself for a 12-10 lead.

Both teams were reduced in number when Saints hooker Danny Kay and Panthers full-back Karl Robinson were awarded yellow cards for fighting.

Lancashire’s three points then nudged Mick Cashin’s men ahead, and home fans were grateful for Benn’s late miss. St Anne’s prop Andy Sands and Castleford hooker Scott Holder were sent to the sin-bin in the incident which led to the visitors being awarded a penalty.