Seconds so slick

CALL ME NUMBER ONE . . .Oldham’s Les Moran (right, with Vets team mate Dom Hall), who will be 50 on November 29, celebrates the first try of his 25-year career.

RUGBY UNION: OLDHAM 2nd X1 41, PENRITH 3rd X1 5
It was always thought Oldham seconds would need time to gel as a unit, but there were clear signs in this emphatic victory that the current group of players can match the best in their division - and progress further.

Penrith deserved more for a spirited display in which they dominated the first 10 minutes, penning Oldham in their own half.

It was against the run of play when, in the 12th minute, Andy Birch made a break from his own half and fed the ball to Phil Conroy, who in turn drew his defender before supplying the final pass to Liam Armstrong.

Oldham took control from this point and, from a scrum on the left, Matty Collins fed Scott Danby, who gave a nice inside pass for Danny Mortin to score. Danby added the conversion.

Seven minutes later, Mortin grabbed a second try following a superb break from Will Mellor, and when Conroy won a chase to the line and Danby converted, Oldham led 24-0 at half time.

Penrith began on the offensive after the restart, but when Jack Hawkins broke down an attack, he fed Mellor, who ran 80 metres to score beneath the posts. Danby again converted.

Mellor scored again with another powerful run and, just after the hour mark, Oldham completed their tally when Matty Collins took full advantage of the defence standing back to jink his way over the line.

Penrith grabbed a consolation try five minutes from the end.


Rochdale 4ths 21, Oldham 3rd 42
OLDHAM got their act together in the second half to register a convincing victory over their neighbours.

Chris Haslem and Martin Kenny scored early tries, but Rochdale replied with a couple of their own in an even first half.

Another Rochdale try and conversion after the restart seemed to shake up Oldham, who cut out internal bickering and silly penalties to take control.

Oldham made a big impact in the scrums, which gave the backs more time to work their magic, leading to four tries in 20 minutes from Kenny, Haslem, John Suiter and Mark Fitton. All were converted by the impressive Rhys Jones.


Oldham Vets 32, Dukinfield 3rds 10
Mark Hodge, Kev Byrom and Lee Howard scored first-half tries to set the vets on their way to victory following two defeats.

But the most significant moment came at the start of the second half when the ball popped out of the ruck and Les Moran jinked his way to the first try of his 25-year career.

Damien Hall was next to score before Paddy Lockett went in for a well-deserved try.