First team work hard for big win

BREAKING CLEAR: Rob Froggatt looks for support

A FIRM pitch, a nice day, 11 tries, including a hat-trick for back-row man Phil Graham, and a bonus point before half time.

A stroll in the park for Oldham Rugby Union Club firsts? It was far from it despite the 71-12 scoreline.

Take nothing away from Upper Eden as they played their part in this contest and never gave up trying.

They fielded seven players who were under 20 and possessed a fly-half who was probably the man of the match.

The game at Manor Park last season was dominated by South African sevens international Lukka Tromp and the away fixture seemed to drift away from Oldham in the strong Cumbrian wind.

This term Upper Eden are struggling at the foot of the table having won only four games all season.

Oldham, searching for their fifth win in their last six outings, welcomed back Jack Taylor.

The hosts were quick out of the blocks as Rob Froggatt stole the ball in a tackle and strolled over to the left of the posts. Alex Jobson added the conversion. Nick Hackman touched down in the same place, finishing off a move started by Gareth Barber, which Jobson again goaled.

It took Upper Eden 10 minutes to get into Oldham's half, and they managed to get the ball over the line with a good rolling maul, but couldn't get it down.

Oldham were back in the ascendancy with Bobby Cullen diving over after Ryan North was denied a try. Another Jobson conversion saw the lead stretch to 21-0, after which the home side notched a bonus point thanks to Froggatt.

Phil Graham scored under the posts immediately from the restart and there was enough time before the break for Charlie Roscoe to burst through a gap. Both efforts were converted by Jobson.

Upper Eden got on the board with a converted try, but Oldham retaliated straight away through Graham again, followed by a Josh Watson score and a Graham completing his treble, which Jobson improved.

There was no let-up from Oldham, who are eyeing a fourth-placed finish, as Barber registered a well-deserved try, which Jobson converted. Upper Eden had the final say, though, as their outstanding No.10 set up his centre for a second try.