Oldham RU defeated in league opener

Oldham RUFC's first XV travelled to Bury RUFC for the opening league game of the 2025/26 season, and were beaten 47-29.

On the back of last week’s cup victory, they were looking to build momentum - and the early signs were promising.

In the opening exchanges, Oldham defended with intent, with strong tackles from Jack Taylor, Karl Shenton, Paul Wardle and Tom Davies.

Their defensive pressure was rewarded when Robert Froggatt isolated a lone runner at the ruck, winning a penalty.

Oldham turned down the posts and kicked to the corner, setting their intentions early.

From the resulting lineout, a powerful maul drove deep into the Bury 22 before Froggatt peeled off to score his first of the afternoon.

Alex Jobson’s conversion drifted wide, but Oldham had the perfect start: 0–5.

That momentum didn’t last.

From the restart, Bury kicked long and forced Oldham to play out from deep.

The home side grew into the game, stringing together phases with strong forward carries and sharp half-back play.

Spotting the Oldham fullback out of position, the Bury fly-half used the wind well with a kick downfield.

A breakdown in communication between Lewis Ward and winger Corey Kelly, followed by a sliced clearance, gifted Bury possession.

They finished clinically with a converted try to take the lead, 7–5.

Bury were now on the front foot.

Their forwards carried with power, and slick handling in the backs began to expose uncharacteristic gaps in the Oldham defence.

Three unanswered tries followed, stretching the score to 26–5.

In the process, Oldham lost centre Josh Watson to injury, replaced by winger Reece Blakeley.

To their credit, Oldham rallied. Carries from Dean McEwan, Josh Semple and Chris Shaw, combined with smart interplay from Owen Hewson and Davies, took them deep into the Bury half.

Pressure turned into points when another well-worked maul allowed Froggatt to crash over for his second.

This time Jobson added the extras: 26–12. Any hopes of a fightback were quickly dashed as Bury responded with two more tries before the break, taking a commanding 40–12 lead into half-time.

Coaches Jim Forster and Jack Sayle urged their side to reset and start again with the wind at their backs.

The second half began brightly for Oldham. Carries from Isaac Dobbs and Shaw created momentum before quick hands put prop Marshall Yates over under the posts.

Jobson converted, narrowing the gap to 40–19.

Bury, however, weren’t done.

They rebuilt pressure with structured play, but this time Oldham’s defence - led by Phil Conroy, Blakeley, Jack Taylor and Semple - stood firm.

Oldham hit back with a moment of quality: a pinpoint 50:22 from Davies set up field position, and from there Shaw powered over for the bonus-point try.

Jobson’s conversion missed, but Oldham were back within reach at 40–24.

The comeback hopes were short-lived. Bury capitalised on a defensive mismatch

to score a breakaway try in the corner, despite a brave last-ditch effort from Ross Cooper, who was injured in the process.

The conversion extended the score to 47–24. Oldham had the final say.

Crisp handling through Davies, Taylor and Jobson released Kelly, who weaved through defenders to finish a fine try.

The conversion went astray, leaving the final score 47–29.

For Oldham, there were positives in the set piece and attacking play, but defensive frailties proved costly.

They will need answers quickly if they are to hit the levels they know they’re capable of.

Man of the Match: Corey Kelly - tireless in both attack and defence.

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