High-fliers expose Oldham frailties

Photo: Chris Sunderland

ON THE CHARGE . . . Dean McEwan, scorer of Oldham’s try, takes on the Fleetwood defence.

RUGBY UNION: RELEGATED Oldham RU were thumped 66-7 by North Lancs and Cumbria Division title hopefuls Fleetwood at Manor Park.

Coach Guy Lovegreen played at scrum-half for the hosts in a much-changed line-up, with Jordan Green at stand-off.

Hooker Dean McEwen and forward Rob Froggatt were outstanding despite fighting a losing battle.

Oldham were in the contest until the half-hour mark, with the score at 12-7, but four tries in the remaining minutes of the first period saw the visitors take a 40-7 lead into the break.

Lovegreen’s men did their best to hold back the tide after the restart, but they conceded a further four tries.

Eight of Fleetwood’s 10 touchdowns were successfully converted.

It could have been a different outcome had Oldham made the most of their early possession, which inspired a McEwen try, converted by Lovegreen.

Oldham’s game against De La Salle on Saturday is off, as DLS have to play a rescheduled match at Aspatria.