Weakened Oldham fall through trapdoor
Date published: 19 April 2011
OLDHAM RUFC 5, BLACKBURN 35
RUGBY UNION: WITH seven cry-offs from their selected squad, Oldham suffered a defeat which condemned them to relegation from North Lancs and Cumbria Division.
Chris Pickles and Paddy Farnan were brought in from the vets’ team, while Jack Hawkins and Martin Kenny came into the side, along with scrum-half Pete Scrivens, who had been an injury absentee since September, last year.
The visitors immediately launched an attack and scored the first of five converted tries, scrum half Joe Holden providing the touchdown and wing Paul Bleasdale the conversion.
Further tries by Richard Mawdsley and Phil Hesketh, both converted, gave Blackburn a 21-points lead after 25 minutes, but Oldham began to get some quality ball and scored a fine try through Gareth Barber following good work by the pack and three quarters.
Barber was unlucky with the touchline conversion attempt.
Oldham defended well in the second half, limiting Blackburn to two scores from hooker Liam Oldham and back row Robert Parker.
Their spirit remained intact and that will be needed again on Saturday when top-of-the-table Fleetwood visit Manor Park.
Fleetwood are coached by former GB, Wigan and Leeds rugby league star David Stephenson and Oldham are hoping they can put together a strong team to show the true progress they have made this year, rather than the swopping and changing which has resulted in 54 players being used in 24 games.
