Whitewash victory for Saints

Photo: Paul Sterritt

KICKING PROWESS . . . Matthew Whitehead

OLDHAM St Anne's produced their best performance of the season when securing an emphatic 52-0 win over Dewsbury Celtic at Higginshaw Road in National Conference League Division Three.

The visitors were reduced to 12 men in the third minute, when centre Anthony Dunsford was sidelined for 10 minutes after a dangerous tackle on Joe Hartley.

Saints took advantage of the extra man when prop-forward Matty Bottom charged over the line.

Just before Dunsford's return, Bottom secured a second try, with both efforts goaled by Matthew Whitehead.

FLICKED

Paddy Fitzsimmons then flicked an inside ball to Carl Fields, who went in at the side of the posts. Whitehead added the conversion.

Saints went in at the break 24-0 up after Sam Sykes slipped a perfect reverse pass to Kieran McGinnity to go in under the posts for another six-point score.

Saints' discipline was exemplary in the first half - they did not concede a penalty - only to then give away three in has many minutes after the restart.

Both sides were down to 12 men for 10 minutes after Bottom and Celtic full-back Danny Thomas traded blows in the tackle.

Saints increased their lead when McGinnity claimed a second try, and five minutes later Jonny Horton burrowed over from dummy-half before he went on a cross-field run to score out wide.

That was followed by Whitehead's only miss at goal all afternoon.

Substitutes Marcus Heath and Ryan Dalton impressed off the bench, with the latter crossing the line after the Dewsbury side conceded three quick penalties.

With the last play, Whitehead - who finished with eight goals from nine attempts - chipped the ball over the Celtic defence for Paul Ainsworth to score and bring the 50 mark up. Whitehead added the touchline conversion.

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