Saints kept at bay

RUGBY: OLDHAM St Anne’s were unable mount a second-half fightback as they slipped to a 46-22 defeat at home to Eccles and Salford Juniors in Division One.

Already relegated before the home clash, Chris Deakin’s men fell behind in the third minute when hooker Richard Openshaw stepped through some weak tackling to touch down by the posts. Andrew Muscat converted.

Saints replied through a Paul Garrett try instigated by Richard Badby who, alongside half-back partner Nathan Jewitt, put together some impressive moves.

But Eccles struck again when scrum-half Will Rigby dived over and Payden Candland went in for his side’s third try. Muscat kicked both.

Saints hit back. Chris Carter touched down, converted by Jordan Galloway, to reduce the deficit to eight points at half-time.

A minute after the restart Jewitt again split the Eccles line to send prop forward Carl Fields on a 40-metre run to the line, only to be caught just short by Muscat.

Eccles reasserted their authority with a brace of tries in a four-minute spell, by substitute Adam Taher and Mitchell Krog. Muscat landed both goals.

Still Saints pushed hard, with Badby slipping a reverse pass to Galloway, who raced in under the posts for a Martyn Swaine-converted try.

But Eccles put the game out of reach when veteran John McAttee and two further tries from Openshaw, plus a couple of conversions from Muscat, extended the lead to 30 points.

It was little consolation for Saints when Swaine converted prop Chris Richards’ try five minutes from time.


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