More away woe for cramped Oldham

RUGBY UNION: OLDHAM’S away-day hoodoo continued with a 29-18 defeat at Birchfield in North Lancashire Division One.

Guy Lovegreen’s side are still awaiting their first victory on the road this term and did not expect the tenacity and strength of their hosts.

The pitch was significantly narrower than Oldham’s at Manor Park, and it became clear this would not suit their expansive game.

Birchfield opened the scoring when Richard Dennett cut inside and scored under the post, with skipper Paul Hughes adding the extras.

Hughes kicked a penalty after Oldham handled in a ruck, and he repeated the feat when the away outfit were penalised for offside.

Birchfield had a player sin-binned for 10 minutes after stamping, and Jordan McEwan gave his side hope when he crossed following good work from Nick Hardman and Gareth Barber.

However, ill-discipline cost them dear before the break and Hughes notched another penalty to make it 16-5.

Dennett extended the lead in the corner and Hughes goaled, prior to Mike Crouch crossing over for Oldham.

When Birchfield were pulled up for offside Barber kicked perfectly, but the roles were soon reversed and the trusty boot of Hughes did the job.

To their credit Oldham never gave up and Mark Brocklehurst touched down in the corner. But another Hughes penalty put the nail in the coffin.