Disciplined Oldham claim vital win

Chris McKenzie puts in the line-out for Oldham.

Oldham RUFC 1st 22

Mossley Hill 12

OLDHAM fought back from 12 points adrift to register their third win of the season in North Lancashire Division One.

It was their most disciplined display of the season and one which combined skill and determination to succeed.

Despite having most of the early possession and looking threatening when running the ball, Oldham found themselves two tries to nil down.

But they began their fightback when Josh Brown went wide and fed Martin Hamer to force his way over in the corner.

The Oldham forwards started to take control and Dean McEwan, Stuart Brennan and Joe Hesse made inroads into enemy territory.

Starting the second half trailing 12-5, Oldham knew they could turn things round if able to make the most of their opportunities.

Coach Guy Lovgreen made a few changes, one of them to replace Gavin Dodd whose injury will keep him out for several weeks.

And Oldham reduced their deficit when Brian Massey collected the ball on the Mossley 22, beat off two tackles and touched down in the corner. Josh Brown hit the crossbar with his touchline conversion attempt.

The momentum was with Oldham and when Gareth Barber chipped through, the ball broke for Hesse to pick up and dive over.

And victory was secured when Brown picked up from the back of a ruck, dummied and made a superb break to score just wide of the posts. Barber converted to complete the scoring.

Man-of-the-match, for his scrummaging and tackling around the rucks and drives forward, was prop Dean McEwan.