Oldham women's team put in gutsy effort in defeat to North Wales

Oldham Women produced a battling performance during their inaugural home game against North Wales Crusaders, who won 30-4.

The two sides met just a couple of weeks back, and Sunday’s game at the Vestacare Stadium was a significant improvement.

Crusaders dominated the first game, winning 36-4 with 20 minutes remaining before the game had to be abandoned due to an injury to one of their players.

Having trained for just a number of months with many having no prior rugby league experience, they were toe-to-toe with Crusaders in the first forty.

The scoreline was just 8-0 to North Wales at half-time with Oldham Women having a number of chances to get on the scoresheet.

Player and assistant coach Hannah Bates, 38, who played for Rochdale Ravens and was selected for the England under-21’s and Great Britain teams, was a stand-out performer.

“We have improved massively, it’s only our third game and we are getting better with each one that we play,” she said.

“They were a speedy team, but we stood up to them in the first half and we were a lot better defensively.

“We tired in the second half and once we get our fitness levels up I think we will be a tough team to beat.

“90% of the team has never done any kind of fitness before, and the ones that have haven’t done it for years.”

It was a family affair for Hannah on Sunday with her daughter and niece both playing for the side.

“Neither of them have ever done any sport, never mind touching a rugby ball – and they’ve only been training a month,” she said.

“We threw them in at the deep end and they both did fantastic, I’m really proud of them.”

Ste Fitzmartin’s side, despite Crusaders ranking up a commanding lead in the second half, kept on battling and their hard work was finally rewarded in the final moments of the game.

Former St Helens and Warrington Wolves player Rebekah Wilson used all her experience to force her way over close to the line to score a more than deserved try.

Wilson, throughout the game, got Oldham up the field with countless ball carries, despite only having a baby eight weeks ago.

Team: Calder; McAndrew, Yates, Jones, Fletcher; Hughes, McCoy; Ledger, Hilton, C.Bates, Wilson, Hufton, H.Bates.

Subs: Barker, Hulme, K. Bates, Crosby, Whittaker, Redshaw (all used).

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