Super Oldham defeat league leaders

Date published: 15 November 2023


Oldham RUFC roared to a brilliant 25-12 victory against league leaders Trafford MV.

The hosts' first try came after Trafford spilled the ball and Alex Jobson pounced on it and ran 50 metres to score under the posts.

He converted it for Oldham to go 7-0 up.

Tactically Oldham were playing better rugby with Tom Davies and Rob Froggatt kicking well, turning Trafford’s back three and putting them under pressure.

Oldham got to half time in the lead, holding Trafford scoreless.

Trafford, however, were not top of the league for nothing and answered straight after half time scoring firstly an unconverted try in the corner following a quick tap penalty and then following further pressure a converted try to leave the score at 12-7 in Trafford’s favour.

At that stage Oldham looked tired and Trafford seemed to go up a gear.

However, Oldham managed to answer back straight away.

Some decent ball from a set piece with the Oldham pack working down the right-hand side carrying well.

Jordan McEwan then executed some 'heads up' rug by seeing the Trafford defence had been drawn in very narrow, kicked a cross field kick straight into the arms of James Perks who then outpaced the covering defence to score.

The try went unconverted to leave it at 12-12.

Oldham then took the last quarter of the game by the scruff of the neck.

An interchange of passes with Perks led to Hamilton going under the posts to put Oldham back in front.

With the Jobson conversion, Oldham took a 19-12 lead.

What followed could have then taken the game back in Trafford’s favour.

Froggatt was sin-binned for not rolling away and the naysayers could be heard that Oldham wouldn’t be able to hold Trafford now.

That was not the case as Oldham, who were still controlling possession and territory, pegged Trafford in their 22.

Oldham carried the ball setting up a ruck on the Trafford 22 metre line and with McEwan finding Jobson straight behind him, Jobson sat in the pocket and hit a drop goal which sailed over from 30 metres to lengthen Oldham’s lead to 22-12.

Jobson added a further three points late on to leave the referee to blow the final whistle and Oldham to celebrate a well-earned 25-12 victory.


Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.