Saints effort pleases Cashin
Date published: 22 February 2011
HITCHING A RIDE . . . Eric Johnson, of Oldham St Anne’s, has Mike Gill on his back.
RUGBY LEAGUE: NO complaints — that was the verdict of Oldham St Anne’s coach Mick Cashin after watching his side bow out of the BARLA National Cup.
Saints were beaten 24-4 by Widnes St Maries, who now take their place in round four of the competition.
“The best team won on the day,” said Cashin. “They are a big side, with a big pack and impressive half-backs. Lee Birdseye controlled the game for them.
“But I couldn’t fault our
players for effort. They asked questions of St Maries throughout the game.”
The Widnes side made their intentions clear from the start when second-row forward Adam Prendergast and winger Danny Sharples both had tries
disallowed in the opening five minutes.
Against the run of play, St Anne’s opened the scoring when hooker Eric Johnson made the initial break for Luke Wallace to step through a gap to touchdown.
However, St Maries took control mid-way through the first half with centre Mike Gill and substitute Dave Prescott both crossing, the impressive Birdseye adding the goals.
Shortly after the break, St Anne’s were reduced to 11 men when two players were sent to the sin-bin, and the visitors were also a man down after an off-the-ball melee.
“We didn’t concede a point in that 10-minute period of the game, which showed our levels of commitment,” said Cashin.
The game was settled 15 minutes from time when Prendergast grabbed a second try and Birdseye added a four-pointer as well as landing both goals.
Peter Deakin, Dave Cookson and Johnson worked tirelessly for Saints, who are at home to Eccles in Division One of the National Conference League on Saturday.
THE third-round tie between Saddleworth Rangers and Siddal at Greenfield was postponed, because of an unfit pitch, so too Waterhead’s Division Two clash with West Bowling at Peach Road.
