Saints stun Scorpions

OLDHAM St Anne’s produced a stunning comeback in Division One of the Kukri North-West Counties League.

Saints trailed by 14 points at home to Blackpool Scorpions, but recovered in style to record a 34-24 victory, only their second of the season from six games.

The visitors went ahead in the first play with a try from second row forward Danny Barr. Phil Gamble crossed moments later, before Barr touched down for a second time. Gareth Chadwick added a goal.

Saints responded when Ryan Grumridge, making his first appearance of the campaign, burrowed over from dummy-half, Mark Lees converting.

There was more success for the home side just before half-time when Matt Park squeezed in at the corner, with Lees kicking a touchline conversion.

The turnaround was complete soon after the restart when Rob Proudman put Saints in front with another Lees-goaled try.

But mid-table Scorpions drew level courtesy of a Chadwick try, and when Gamble went over, Saints had it all to do again.

They were soon back on level terms with a Connor Carron effort — Lees weighed in with another two points — before Nial Collins and Craig Jolley sealed the points for the hosts. Lees, with his fifth conversion of the afternoon, improved one of the tries.

In Division Four, Waterhead ‘A’ couldn’t field a team against Eccles, who were awarded an 18-0 win, but Rochdale Cobras piled up the points in a 74-4 victory at basement boys New Spring Lions.

Meanwhile, Fitton Hill Bulldogs came back down to earth with a bump , seven days after registering their first win in Division Six.

They succumbed 90-4 at title-chasing Ashton Bears ‘A’, with man-of-the-match Mark Fitton scoring the local side’s consolation try.

The Bulldogs will hope for better luck at home to Folly Lane ‘A’ on Saturday.