Star Deakin steals show

Photo: Paul Sterritt

HE'S OVER . . . Callum Fletcher, of St Anne's, touches down

JOHN Deakin's last-minute try handed Oldham St Anne's a thrilling 42-38 victory against Woolston Rovers in the National Conference League Division Three.

It was a real game of two halves. Saints took control of the first and secured a commanding 30-18 lead at the break.

However, John Fieldhouse - a former Oldham RLFC favourite now in charge of the Warrington side - had some harsh words during the interval and they responded by winning the second period 20 points to 12.

Saints took the lead with Sam Akeroyd breaking clear to send Callum Cashin in at the corner.

Luke Skilling took on the kicking role and finished with an impressive seven out of eight success rate.

Centre Josh Hartley then intercepted before scoring under the posts, with Skilling adding the goal.

Connor Muir scored for Rovers, before Saints responded when Carl Fields made ground to send in Matty Bottom at the side of the posts. Skilling again added the goal.

Will Chadwick scored a converted try for the visitors, before Saints hit back again with winger Craig Basnett scoring a length-of-the-field effort.

Matty Davy breached the Saints' line for another goaled try, but Saints went into the break with a 12-point advantage when hooker Callum Fletcher went over from dummy-half, with Skilling landing his fifth goal.

Within two minutes of the restart, Davy added another converted score for Rovers. The visitors then took the lead for the first time as centre Lewis Hoary broke through to touch down.

Saints wouldn't lie down, though, as they sought a second win against a Warrington team in as many weeks. Scrum-half Ryan Powell shimmied his way over to score at the side of the posts, with Skilling's kick levelling things up.

Both teams weren't able to get the position for an attempted field-goal, and with the clock ticking down, plus the stoppage for taking on water, Deakin was held up over the line and Bottom was stopped inches short.

Deakin then barraged his way over the line to secure two more vital points for the Higginshaw Road side.

• Check out more pictures from Woolston Rovers on our picture sales page.