Thornton thrashed by red-hot Oldham

ON THE CHARGE . . . Oldham’s Josh Watson runs with the ball.

Oldham 42, Thornton Cleveleys 3

OLDHAM tore apart Thornton Cleveleys in their first home game of the North Lancashire One season.

The hosts scored seven tries - including four from player-coach Gareth Barber, operating in his new centre role – and restricted the West Lancs side to a solitary penalty.

Callum Megram slotted over an early penalty before Max Horsfall raced clear to register Oldham’s first try.

Thornton replied with a penalty, only for Oldham to then score a magnificent try from Phil Conroy.

Oldham started the second half strongly, and from a scrum Will Mellor sent the ball wide for Barber to side-step his way to the line. Meagram converted. Soon after Barber again side-stepped the Thornton defence to touch down.

On the hour mark, Barber spotted a hole in the Thornton defence to record his third try. Meagram again scored.

The hard-working Joe Hesse made a searing run and put Ryan North away to score, before the scoring was completed when Mellor broke up the left, found the supporting Barber, and he scored wide out.

In the end, it was an easier win than Oldham had anticipated. Man of the match was Barber.