Fogerty treble to no avail for Saints

RUGBY: DESPITE a fine hat-trick by Mick Fogerty, Oldham St Anne’s slipped to a 34-24 defeat at Stanningley in Division Two of the National Conference League.

The home side caught Saints napping in the opening 20 minutes as they built up a 16-0 lead with tries from Matthew Brook, Brad Cox and Alex White.

The impressive Russ Cartmell kicked two conversions. Chris Deakin’s understrength side — David and Jason Best and Chris Carter were suspended while a raft of other players were unavailable — got on the scoresheet after a Fogerty break. He released Kiel Lancashire for a try which he also converted.

Fogerty then got in on the act as Saints closed to within half-a-dozen points of Stanningley at the break.

The visitors flew out of the blocks at the start of the second period, and the excellent Martin Ryan was unfortunate to drop the ball over the line.

But a 55-yard dash by Fogerty put Saints within touching distance of the hosts.

Stanningley regrouped, and replied with tries from Cartmell and Sean Cooper, plus two Cartmell conversions to forge 28-14 ahead.

Saints never gave up and continued to pound the Stanningley line, although without success.

Paul Robinson’s try in the 70th minute sealed the win for the home side and with a Cartmell converting the scoreline read 34-14.