Fund-raisers scrum down

BREAKING CLEAR . . . Charlie Roscoe, of Oldham

A CHARITY match at Manor Park saw Kidney for Life boosted by more than £1,000.

Fortunately, forecast rain proved wide of the mark as a big, appreciative crowd basked in sunshine for Oldham Rugby Union Club's tussle with the well-known Anti-Assassins invitation team.

The Anti-Assassins, made up of players from the Northern counties, perform open, attractive rugby, even from behind their own line as pioneered by the legendary Barbarian side.

Paul Arnold, himself a Barbarian and Fylde second row, put in a terrific performance on the day and played a huge part in the Assassins' 20-10 victory.

Arnold ­- the rugby union development officer for the borough ­- scored two tries, made the other two and continually showed superb handling skills and vision.

TRIES

Oldham were not overawed, though.

Two fine tries, firstly by Charlie Roscoe after a long break by skipper Gareth Barber, and secondly by Callum Megram, after a clever kick by Phil Conroy, kept the hosts in the game at 10-10 with 20 minutes remaining.

However, two late tries by star centre Sam Russell, of Preston Grasshoppers, and back row Andrew Brown (Wigton) sealed a deserved victory for the star-studded visitors, who were well served by former Oldham player Marc Goodman.

Goodman, now at Sedgley Park, once formed a wonderful centre partnership with a current Oldham RL prop Michael Ward, and Fylde hooker Ollie Trippier.

Will Mellor, Stuart Brennan, Jordan McEwan and Gaz Blomley performed well for Oldham, who return to North Lancashire and Cumbria League action on Saturday with a visit from second in the table and undefeated De La Salle.