Last-gasp try is such a sickener

Photo: Picture by CHRIS SUNDERLAND.

GET STUCK IN . . . Oldham’s forwards confront Workington’s pack.

RUGBY UNION:

OLDHAM 27, WORKINGTON 27 

AN INJURY-TIME try and touchline conversion denied Oldham the victory they deserved.

This North Lancs and Cumbria Division match was dominated by the Oldham backs and Workington pack.

Oldham ran the ball from all parts of the pitch, while the heavy, well-drilled visiting pack set up their team’s tries with a series of driving mauls.

Workington took the lead after seven minutes when Neil Hastings scored a try which John Chisnall converted.

Straight from the restart, Oldham replied when winger Mark Brocklehurst beat his opposite number and passed inside for Gareth Barber to go over.

Chisnall’s penalty made it 10-5 to Workington but, in the 28th minute, Oldham moved the ball along the line to Brocklehurst, who scored a try which Goodman converted for a 12-10 lead.

Ben Lawson restored Workington’s lead with a try three minutes before half-time and when a David Bowe touchdown made it 20-12, Oldham were staring down the barrel.

However, they reduced their arrears thanks to an Ian Sinfield try following a Brocklehurst pass inside and went ahead when Barber beat several men before producing a grubber kick pounced upon by Brocklehurst, whose try was converted.

Goodman’s penalty made it 27-20 to Oldham and they maintained that lead until injury time.

Workington were camped on the try-line, though, and despite dogged defence, went over in the corner following a tap-penalty.

The conversion attempt from the touchline was excellent, so both sides had to settle for three points for the draw and bonus of four tries.

Oldham are away to Aspatria this weekend.