Saints march back in style

KICKING GAME . . . Matthew Whitehead

OLDHAM St Anne's recovered from a 12-6 deficit at half-time to run out comfortable 36-12 winners at Elland in Division Three of the Kingstone Press National Conference League.

Saints, in only their second outing of the season, opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a solo try for Matty Bottom. Matthew Whitehead added the goal.

Elland restored parity five minutes later with a try for loose-forward Dave Webb and a Joe Nicholson conversion.

Saints had the advantage of the penalty count, but were unable to convert the possession into points by fluffing a couple of opportunities with the line wide open.

The Halifax side took the lead on the half-hour mark with Tom Harnett crossing and Nicholson landing the goal from wide out, before having Chris Middleton sin-binned for holding down too long in the tackle.

Despite having the advantage of the extra man, Saints were unable to break through, and it was only when the numbers were restored that the floodgates opened.

A converted try for Ryan Powell restored parity, and Powell was involved again, setting up a try for Craig Basnett.

Saints man-of-the-match Jonathan Horton sold a dummy to extend the lead, Whitehead adding both conversions before landing a penalty for a 26-12 lead.

The Elland pack began to tire and were unable to contain the strong running from Saints forwards Marcus Heath, Rhys Wareing, Pat Fitzsimmons and Olly Bryan

Kieran McGinnity was held short of the line on the left, the ball was swung out with centre Joe Hartley hoisting a kick to the opposite corner for Horton to claim a second try.

Hartley wrapped up the scoring, with Whitehead having his only miss of the day from seven attempts to earn Saints their first points of the season.