Oldham are rampant

CELEBRATION TIME . . . (right group) Jack Taylor, Josh Watson, Jordan McEwan and Charlie Roscoe enjoy a try

OLDHAM RUFC firsts brought down the curtain on their North Lancashire and Cumbria League campaign with a thumping 82-0 win over already-relegated Silloth at Manor Park.

Silloth may be doomed to the drop, but they have gone down kicking and screaming and were camped in the Oldham 22 for the first 10 minutes.

They might have taken the lead from an early penalty, but it went wide.

Oldham absorbed the pressure and started to get more of the ball and it became clear that the hosts were quicker around the pitch. Patience was soon to lead to opportunities.

While Silloth remained committed to the cause, Oldham scored tries through Gareth Barber, Will Mellor, Rob Froggatt and Charlie Roscoe.

Alex Jobson has become the regular goal kicker in the absence of the injured Callum Megram, and he gave a true kicking master class.

He converted seven from seven, including four from right on the touchline. At half time it was 49-0 to Oldham.

This was probably the hosts' most complete performance all season as the players executed nearly every opportunity.

Oldham stuck to the game plan and took the chances when they came.

Silloth had travelled with a bare 15 and the intensity of the Oldham attack and the warm conditions meant that it was a tough half of rugby for them.

But they never gave up, they didn't bicker and the continued to chase down every break.

These are the actions of a club that is positive about its future.

Unsurprisingly, the second half followed a similar pattern and Oldham scored further tries through Jobson, Jordan McEwan, Ryan North and Luke Roscoe.

But a fair proportion of the game was played in the Oldham 22 as Silloth remained committed.

Oldham have defended their line with passion since the new year, however, and it remained intact once again despite a valiant Silloth effort.

KICK

Jobson missed a kick from the touchline much to his disappointment - and everybody's amazement - to finish with 11 from 12.

The final whistle came with Oldham 82 points clear.

Oldham finished their 2016-17 campaign in fourth place, the same as they did a year earlier.

OLDHAM'S second XV triumphed 32-22 against their Liverpool St Helens counterparts on Merseyside.