Fine run continues

NICK HACKMAN: Man-of-the-match performance

OLDHAM Rugby Union Club firsts maintained their good form, winning 24-11 at Fleetwood to make it three successes in a row.

Up against opponents also stationed in mid-table in the North Lancashire and Cumbria League, the squad travelled to the Fylde Coast without broken hand victim Ryan North, Gareth Blomeley and Dean McEwan, but at least they had Rob Froggatt back on what was a grey, cold day.

On a boggy pitch, the hosts controlled most of the possession in the opening half-hour as Oldham conceded a string of penalties. Solid defence kept Fleetwood out, though, before a third penalty attempt gave them a 3-0 lead.

Fleetwood hooker Jack Brocklehurst and Oldham full-back Charlie Roscoe were then shown yellow cards as tempers flared around a breakdown.

Oldham lost Josh Watson to a knee injury, bringing Cameron Wood into proceedings, and the response was swift and beautifully executed.

Skipper Gareth Barber broke to the right and winger Ryan Arundale prodded a perfect kick into the 22. Will Mellor first of all showed an impressive turn of pace and followed this up with a magnificent pick-up off a difficult surface and scampered in by the posts.

Callum Megram's sure-footed conversion handed the visitors a 7-3 lead with half-time approaching before a penalty cut the advantage to a point as the sides switched ends.

The reality, though, was that Oldham would not survive another 40 minutes without the ball and therefore had to reduce the penalty count.

It was a task they managed. Oldham hooker Jack Taylor had to make a try-saving tackle and Fleetwood did score next through prop Peter Benny, but Oldham started to make inroads.

Barber floated out a long pass for Froggatt to draw the last defender and send in man-of-the-match Nick Hackman to put Oldham 12-11 in front.

Penning in the hosts, Mellor went over for a clever solo try and Megram's conversion provided a useful points cushion.

Fleetwood's James Lilley was sin-binned for dissent and Oldham managed to claim a bonus point try when Mellor's dinked kick allowed Hackman to race in and score.

The game was blighted when a Fleetwood player kicked and then stamped on the head of an Oldham opponent, on the blind side of the referee, and as tempers flared visiting hooker Brocklehurst was dismissed for throwing a punch.

OLDHAM'S thirds emerged from their trip to Southport thirds with a comfortable 36-0 success.

Rhys Jones got an early roll-over try and after Matt Jakeman went in from a tap after a penalty, Harry Ravenscroft rounded off a flowing move by stepping inside his man and touching down.

Luke Ferrier added another before half-time before a carbon copy Jakeman effort and a score from Kenny Rowlands increased the advantage, with Oldham also notching three conversions.