Firsts run out of steam after blitz

TRY TIME . . . Ryan North touches down for Oldham

OLDHAM Rugby Union Club firsts ran out of steam as they slipped to a 19-15 defeat at the hands of Littleborough in the North Lancashire and Cumbria League.

After their best opening 15 minutes of the season so far when they took the game to the visitors, the Manor Park men's energy-levels then waned.

They scored two tries to one, but conceded 12 points via penalties in a what was a poor game overall.

With a trio of players unavailable through work commitments, illness and Christmas shopping, it was all-change after the previous week's nail-biting victory over Bolton.

Stuart Brennan, Ryan North, Ryan Pickles and Cameron Wood came into the side and, along with both sets of players, observed a minute's silence for Oldham's immediate past president Tony Mulholland, who died recently.

Playing at a high tempo with the backs and forwards combining well, Alex Jobson's kick-and-chase was rewarded with a touch down.

The conversion drifted wide, but Callum Megram landed a penalty moments later for an 8-0 lead.

Perhaps complacency had crept in when Boro were allowed too much space for an inventive try along the touchline. With the conversion successful, the gap was a point.

Oldham seemed to deflate at this stage and stopped doing all the things that had been going so well.

Boro deployed a kicking game to get out of trouble and create good field position. In fairness to Oldham, it was probably the best they have come up against this term.

Although trailing 10-8 at half-time after Boro had nailed a long-range penalty, Oldham had the best of the territorial advantage.

Boro soon extended their lead to 13-8 with a second penalty.

But Oldham had a touch of good fortune from the kick-off as it looked as if man-of-the-match Ryan Arundale had knocked on, but the referee adjudged that it had been knocked back by a green shirt.

North took advantage of the confusion, hacked on and won the race to touch down for a try on his return. Megram's conversion bounced in off the upright for a 15-13 lead.

However, Boro kicked a third and a fourth penalty to nose ahead.

Oldham created chances in the final 15 minutes, but Boro saw out time for a deserved win.

Next for Oldham on Saturday is the visit of leaders Carlisle when clear heads will be required.