Roscoe clinches a share of the spoils

KESWICK 8, OLDHAM RU 8
RUGBY UNION: HONOURS were shared as Oldham battled back from 8-3 down in a hard-fought match in the Lake District.

The result was in doubt right until the final whistle as both sides strived for the vital score, Oldham coming nearest when Mark Goodman’s long-range penalty fell inches short of its target.

Things did not go well for Oldham in the pre-match build-up.

Coach Guy Lovegreen was due to play, but his car broke down on the M6 so Oldham started the match with only two players on the substitutes’ bench.

Ian Sinfield, Will Mellor, Alan Pierre and Dean McEwen were absent, so Luke Roscoe had another outing at centre, with Goodman at scrum-half and Jake Watson on the wing.

Oldham’s pack started brightly with the front row of Paul Wardle, Jamie Edwards and Brian Massey getting the better of their opposite numbers.

Oldham won most of the scrums, but were not so effective in the line-outs where poor throwing gave the jumpers little chance.

Both sides were intent on playing free-flowing rugby, but defences at both ends held firm and the first half ended goalless.

Straight from the kick-off in the second half, Keswick scored a try through Philip May.

Oldham responded with a Charlie Roscoe burst which saw him tackled into touch on the try line.

The visitors were finally rewarded for their pressure with a penalty goal by Goodman in the 56th minute.

Keswick replied with a penalty of their own, but Oldham were playing with confidence and, dictating the scrum, produced a well-worked try.

Gareth Barber ran the ball from his own half and fed Watson, who almost scored on the right wing.

The ball was recycled quickly and fast hands along the backs found Mark Brocklehurst, who put in winger Roscoe for an unconverted, but match-levelling try.

Oldham are at home to Workington on Saturday (1.15pm).