Brave Oldham sink Halifax

IT was a perfect sunny afternoon for rugby as Oldham Ladies RUFC ran out 29-22 victors over Halifax Ladies.

Oldham started the game by kicking deep, with a determined home side quick to set their attack.

It was a clash of the forwards with Oldham captain Deone Blignaut being a nuisance at the rucks, which led to a turnover.

Faye Lawrence and Antonia Fick contributed impressive ball carries which took Oldham over the gain line.

A scrum penalty won, coupled with good line speed, lead to an impressive first try by Lizzie Lindley.

OFF-LOADS

There were some great off-loads by Sarah Leggitt, Faye Lawrence and Lauren Eddowes, while Rachel Wright cut through the Halifax defence and scored the second Oldham try. Halifax came back strong and scored their first try by bulldozing over the line.

A great bit of line out play by Antonia Fick resulted in Oldham winning the line out and setting up the maul which took Oldham over the try line. Unfortunately no try was awarded as the ball was held up.

Halifax recovered quickly and managed a breakaway try to make it 10-10 at the interval.

Halifax enjoyed the early territory upon the restart, but Oldham sealed the first and exciting breakaway try from Rachel Wright, converted by Hughes.

The determined Oldham forwards kept exerting pressure in the set piece, with great tackles made by Faye Lawrence, Sarah Leggitt and Missy Coyne.

Another scrum penalty won saw possession then moved wide to the right, and swift handling by Donna Tindall and Rhianne Boag putting Lindley over for her second try.

Stunned into an immediate retort, Halifax were soon back in Oldham's 22, battering away at the defence and pushing over the try line. This was followed by an excellent conversion.

Straight back from the kick off and Oldham were back pushing hard towards the try line. A great off load to Boag set her up to finish off in style under the posts.

Player of the month Hughes again applied the finishing touch with another excellent conversion, and Oldham were two scores clear at 29-17.

Halifax scored a fourth try, before a heroic try-saving effort from Oldham braveheart Wright resulted in a broken collar bone.

Everyone at the club wishes her a speedy recovery.