Blistering St Anne's set Maroons adrift

St Annes v Stanningley, St Annes Matthew Whitehead

OLDHAM St Anne's secured a convincing 40-16 win over early National Conference League Division Three pacesetters Dewsbury Moor Maroons thanks to a brilliant display, writes JAMES LEACH.

The visitors were unfortunate not to take the lead on two occasions in the opening stages when they were denied tries for the final pass going forward.

Saints then hit the straps, running in seven tries in what turned out to be a one-sided first half.

From a scrum 10 metres out from the Dewsbury line, Ryan Powell put Matthew Whitehead in at the corner, with the latter adding the touchline conversion.

Soon after, Saints extended their lead when Dominic Bryan broke clear for a Craig Basnett try.

In a blistering seven-minute spell just before the half-hour mark, Saints took control and made sure of gaining their first home win of the season.

Bryan claimed a hat-trick - the first coming when he was at the end of a break from Chris Yarwood and Sam Akeroy.

Despite two men hanging on in the tackle, Bryan managed to stretch out and place the ball over the line.

The second came when he was in the right place to gather a chip through from Whitehead.

He saved the best until the last. Saints were penalised in their own half for moving off the mark in the tackle, the Moor mounted an attack and defending on his own line, Bryan prised the ball from his opposite number in a legitimate one-on-one and went the length of the field to score under the posts.

CONVERSIONS

Whitehead kicked two conversions before adding a second converted try.

Two minutes before half-time, centre Joe Hartley crossed to rack up a 36-0 lead.

During the break, the Dewsbury coaching staff made clear that they weren't happy with their players' performances during the first half.

Whatever was said, the players took on board and within three minutes they breached the Saints line with a try for winger Max Vernon in the corner, with Jacob Flathers adding the goal.

Ten minutes later, Flathers went over at the side of the posts for a six-pointer.

Despite having the greater of the possession, Saints had to wait until 10 minutes before the end for their next score.

Man-of-the-match John Deakin combined with substitutes Callum Fletcher and Kevin Collins to put Callum Cashin in at the corner.

In the last play of the game, Moor's man-of-the-match - centre George Croisdale - touched down for a consolation try.