Home woe for depleted St Anne’s

RUGBY: OLDHAM St Anne’s ‘A’ remain at the bottom of Division One in the Kukri North-West Counties League after succumbing to a 58-18 defeat at home to a powerful Leigh Miners Welfare ‘A’ team.

Depleted Saints were up against it from the word go, conceding 10 points in the opening five minutes.

A Leon Wilkes try, improved by Mark Lees, reduced the arrears and gave the home side hope of securing only their third win of the season, but mid-table Miners hit back with three tries and two goals.

However, Saints responded with a Jason Akeroyd try and a Lees conversion before the break.

It was a different story in the second half as Miners took command.

The visitors ran in six tries and registered five goals to take their tally beyond the 50-point mark for the afternoon.

Saints’ only joy came from a Terry Whaley try and a Lees conversion.

Rochdale Cobras slipped to fifth in Division Four after a 24-18 defeat at West Bank Swans, but they still lead the Rugby Oldham Challenge table.

Fitton Hill Bulldogs’ fixture at home to Rochdale Cobras ‘A’ in Division Six was postponed.

Meanwhile, Higginshaw are gearing up for a busy weekend of action.

Away to Roose Pioneers in the preliminary round of the North-West Counties League Challenge Cup on Saturday, they are at home to Rochdale Cobras in the first stage of the Standard Cup on Sunday.