Trapdoor looms for Oldham

IAN SINFIELD... scored Oldham’s try.

RUGBY UNION: 
BASEMENT side Oldham firsts slipped to a 21-10 defeat at Whitehaven in another blow to their North Lancs and Cumbria Division survival bid.

The visitors started brightly and plenty of possession saw them put their opponents on the back foot.

A Gareth Barber penalty put Oldham in front in the sixth minute after pressure from the pack forced a handling error.

Powerful play from Dean and Jordan McEwan, Adam Waterhouse, Gary Phelan and Alan Pierre helped the away side dominate proceedings.

But after 35 minutes Mark Lancaster went over for an unconverted try to give Whitehaven the lead.

The first half ended on a sour note when a centre was sin-binned for the hosts, after appearing to strike Phelan.

Jordan Scott extended the home team’s lead via a penalty from close range.

This was followed by a second sin-binning of a Whitehaven player for a punch.

But despite the numerical disadvantage, they increased their advantage courtesy of a Scott touchdown.

Just after the hour mark, a Steven McCourt drop goal made matters worse for Guy Lovegreen’s men.

Oldham rallied and, after near misses from Waterhouse and Dean McEwan, Ian Sinfield crossed and Barber added the extras.

However, it proved to be their last big push and Whitehaven took away Oldham’s hopes of a bonus point when second row Mick Roitherie went over in the second minute of added time, as the visitors slipped closer to the relegation trapdoor with three games to go.


Late rally in vain as seconds crash
OLDHAM seconds were edged out 39-31 by Bolton seconds, despite a late rally.

Scott Danby fed Martin Kenny, who put Oldham ahead after five minutes with a well-taken try. Danby goaled.

An unconverted touchdown put Bolton back in the game and they took the lead thanks to a penalty, needlessly given away for offside at the ruck. Bolton extended their advantage with a converted try down the left flank.

Fired up, Kenny exchanged passes with Chris Lamb before going over in the corner.

But frustratingly, Oldham went to sleep from the kick-off and their opponents crossed again.

Three tries in 20 second half minutes — two of which were converted — handed Bolton a 39-12 lead.

A spirited end to the encounter saw Oldham make a game of it, but ultimately the side ran out of time