Red letter day for Oldham

RUGBY:

OLDHAM RUFC enjoyed a Saturday to remember with all four of their teams in action, winning by an aggregate of 230-20!

Oldham coach Guy Lovegreen was a happy man after seeing his team turn a 5-5 half-time score into a convincing 5-27 victory against Hutton.

Andy Gorey, returning from injury, had an outstanding game at full-back, making several try-saving tackles and linking well with the attack.

The Oldham defence played superbly, especially during the first half when Hutton had the majority of the ball.

Oldham’s attitude was summed up by a Phil Graham tackle which prevented a try by Hutton’s right wing.

Charlie Roscoe partnered Josh Brown at centre, while Jake Watson and Liam Armstrong controlled the wings.

Gareth Barber was back in top form, linking with the backs and forwards, while the pack played as a unit with Chris Heptonstall, Jack Hawkins and Jamie Edwards having the edge in the scrum and gaining strong support from second rowers Nick Hackman and Ross Cooper.

The back row gets better with every game now that Ryan North has a settled position alongside Stuart Brennan, who made some yardage when running at the opposition.

And Jack Taylor also played his part, appearing to be attached to the ball in the loose and regularly securing line-out ball.

Defences were on top during the first 30 minutes before Graham forced his way over the try-line

following a quick penalty. Five minutes into injury time, Hutton levelled through Sam Biggs, but a Brown penalty early in the second half restored Oldham’s lead.

Barber extended their advantage on the hour after the forwards gained turnover ball, Brown converting.

The best try of the game came in the 70th minute and was started in the Oldham half by Josh Watson, who had come on as a substitute.

He passed to Barber, who fed Brown before he linked with Roscoe to put in Barber for his second try.

The game ended with another excellent try, this time by John Souter. Brown converted.

Oldham travel to Tarleton on Saturday for a rearranged fixture.




Oldham ‘A’ 88, Garstang 2nds 5



OLDHAM knew they must win to keep their promotion hopes alive – and they did so in

devastating style. Jack Griffiths led the way with four tries, while there were doubles for Will Mellor, Chris Heap and substitute Chris Lamb.




Oldham 3rd XV 96, Eccles 3rd XV 0



ECCLES had beaten the divisional leaders the previous week, so this was a remarkable performance by the Manor Park men. Alan Hollingsworth ran amok for Oldham, scoring seven tries and kicking 13 conversions

He was backed up by Joe Greenough (four), Martin Kenny (two) and Martin Hamer, but this was a team triumph and the star man vote went to Phil Walmsley for his all-round display.




Village Spartans 1sts 10, Oldham Vets 19



THE Vets weathered an early storm to gradually take control and win with a bit to spare against a side sitting third in the table. Craig Geddy and man-of-the-match Nick McDowell scored tries for Oldham.