Red mist descends in physical clash

Photo: PICTURE by PAUL STERRITT.

SIX ON ONE . . . A group of Oldham RU players converge on the Ashton ball-carrier in a feisty North Lancashire Division One clash at Manor Park. Oldham broke their duck in in 2014 with a 11-3 win over their local rivals, in a game which saw a player from each side sent off. Report and more pictures in tomorrow’s Chronicle.

RUGBY UNION:

OLDHAM RUFC 11

ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE 3

OLDHAM Rugby Union Club are set to appeal against the sending-off of Jordan McEwan in a fiery North Lancashire Division One clash at home to Ashton-under-Lyne.

The prop was shown a straight red card for retaliation in the second half at Manor Park. But the club is claiming McEwan was provoked by a member of the Ashton pack. The visitors’ Neil Oldham was dismissed in the same incident. A minor altercation broke out as the two players headed back to the dressing rooms.

But order was soon restored and Oldham went on to win by eight points.

Oldham is to launch an appeal against the action taken against McEwan once the match official's report has been received.

Despite the incessant rain of recent times, the pitch was playable - though the ball was like a bar of soap in the conditions and the rain kept away most fans.

Oldham took the lead after 20 minutes when Ashton were caught offside in front of their own posts. Callum Meagram converted a simple penalty.

Three Ashton players received yellow cards before the interval and Oldham produced the decisive score early in the second half, when second row Nick Hackman retrieved the ball on the halfway line and drove to the Ashton 22. The ball was moved wide before the Ashton defence had time to reorganise and Green chose a superb line to glide in.

Niggles continued, leading to the flashpoint which saw a player from either side dismissed.

The visitors reduced the deficit with a penalty after 65 minutes but this was almost immediately cancelled by a penalty by Meagram It was a relief to everyone when the final whistle was blown.