Oldham bogged down in the mud

Oldham's Jack Sayle takes it to the opposition.

MUDDY conditions brought to a halt Oldham’s excellent run in North Lancashire Division One.

In previous games this season, their mobile players had been able to give heavier packs the runaround.

But, despite a fine defensive effort, they were unable to fend off a determined Ashton side who used their weight to breach Oldham’s defences.

Jack Taylor stepped into the hooking role as a late replacement for the injured Jake Watson, while Chris McKenzie and Adam Waterhouse were called into the squad to partner each other in the Oldham pack and new dad Phil Graham started in the centre.

After camping out near the Oldham line for the first quarter of the game, Ashton took the lead when a rolling maul saw them cross the line.

This was followed by a converted penalty and when the heavier home pack pushed over for a converted try, there was clear daylight between the teams.

Another try from a rolling maul made it 20-0 at half-time, while Oldham’s cause was not helped by the sin binning of Stuart Brennan for a technical offence.

Despite some sterling tackling from Brennan, Nick Hackman, McKenzie and John Souter, Oldham were uable to stem the tide and Ashton put the game beyond the visitors with a fourth try which was converted.

Oldham refused to throw in the towel and were rewarded with the best try of the game.

break

Phil Conroy made the initial break before Gareth Barber placed a superb kick through the Ashton defence for Mak Horsfall to score wide on the left.

Heartened by this try, Oldham tried to run the ball at every opportunity, but the final ball was either misplaced or passes spilled.

Oldham take a break next week, but then face Heaton Moor. Fixtures are not getting any easier.
For a full version of this story read the Chronicle in print or via the digital iChron and eChron editions on mobile and laptop.