Saints sink Sharks

OLDHAM St Anne's performed superbly as they beat high-flying Rylands Sharks 20-16 in Division Three of the Kingstone Press National Conference League.

Ex-Oldham duo Chris Clarke and Mick Fogerty played their first game this season for the Saints, alongside veterans Warren Druggitt and Chris Carter.

Stand-off Matthew Whitehead was vital with the boot for the hosts, who opened the scoring with a penalty after 22 minutes.

The Sharks replied with the first of two tries from back row Casey Brown, but the Saints eventually took advantage of the penalty count through star man Matthew Bottom, who hit a line behind the tired Rylands ruck to score under the sticks.

The unflappable Whitehead added the extras.

PLATFORM

The Saints forwards carried on laying a strong platform three minutes after the first try, with half-back Ryan Powell unlocking the Sharks' defence, sending in hard-working back row Sam Akeroyd for a try before the break.

The Sharks hit back with Brown's second try of the afternoon, but they seemed unable to contain the strong running from Saints' John Deakin, Carl Fields and Clarke.

Saints got a penalty, which Whitehead slotted over, but despite having the advantage of the extra man thanks to Chris Forster's sin-binning, Saints were unable to break through.

Whitehead again nailed another one of his four penalty goals, and with the clock ticking down, he decided to go for the two points from 35 metres out, and was successful.

Sharks had the final word with Troy Broghy scoring in the corner, but it was too little, too late.

WATERHEAD pulled further away from the re-election zone as they won 34-20 at rock-bottom Elland.

Alan Williamson and Luke Du Feu scored two tries apiece. The in-form Jamie Mayall added one score and five conversions. Marc Maher also touched down.