Jekyll and Hyde Oldham beaten at Fleetwood

Oldham prop Paul Wardle looks for a gap

Oldham RUFC's first away fixture of the season at Fleetwood saw them perform one of their frustrating Jekyll and Hyde master classes.

The first 20 minutes saw them in complete control - good scrummaging, with fine support play and excellent field-kicking by Tom Davies and strong attack from Stuart Brennan and Ryan Pickles in particular giving them field position.

Brennan and Alex Jobson scored fine tries, with one converted by Jobson, as a splendid 12-0 platform for victory was laid.

But from the 20 minute mark, apart from sporadic visits to the opposition 20, Fleetwood were in control.

A steady stream of penalties were conceded chiefly for high tackles and dissent, as well as two yellow cards, one red and the home side gained a momentum that won them the game.

Oldham functioned well throughout in the scrum, but the line-out routines failed to guarantee our throw-ins and prevented consistent pressure being applied.

The defence worked hard with lots of effort and commitment, particularly from new recruit Isaac Dobbs who fully deserved his MOM award.

Half time was 12-12 - a penalty from in front on 65 minutes and a try from a quickly taken free kick four minutes from time secured victory for the home team.

Both coach Jimmy Forster and captain Jack Taylor had stressed the importance of always keeping "emotional control" in the build up to the game but, sadly, too often, Oldham, after their splendid opening phase, departed from that script and gave Fleetwood the opportunity to gain a victory that, even to their die-hard supporters, seemed most unlikely at one stage of the game.

Littleborough visit Oldham this weekend after their comprehensive victory over Liverpool Collegiate, and Oldham will need far greater discipline and consistency if they are to succeed against their local friends and rivals.

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