Saints' blow as Rovers make their point

CARL FIELDS

OLDHAM St Anne's failed by the narrowest of margins to complete back-to-back wins on the road, going down 15-14 at Woolston Rovers in Division Three of the National Conference League.

It was a different game compared to the high-scoring affair earlier in the season at Higginshaw Road where Saints emerged 42-38 winners.

Rovers opened the scoring in the sixth minute when winger Chris Twigg collected a high ball from Glyn Roberts to squeeze in at the left corner - the latter's conversion attempt rebounded off the upright.

Five minutes later, Saints had a try chalked off for Matty Bottom with the referee's assistant deeming the final pass as forward.

With nine of the first-team squad on holiday, Saints had to call on the A team squad to bolster the numbers, plus giving a debut to new signing Tom Robinson, who was outstanding in both attack and defence, everyone playing a substantial part.

Just before the half-hour mark, Saints took the lead when Chris Clarke found Luke Skilling in support to off-load for a Carl Fields try, Skilling added the goal.

The game was held up for 10 minutes when Twigg suffered a horrific leg injury in the tackle.

After the break, Saints extended their lead with Skilling and Kiel Lancashire adding penalties for a 10-4 lead.

At the end of the third quarter, Woolston regained the lead with tries for centre Lewis Hoarty and prop-forward Jack Sherratt with Roberts adding the goal to the second effort.

Ryan Powell, Jonny Horton and Danny Earley were causing problems for the home defence with darting runs and superb off-loads and it paid off with 10 minutes remaining when Earley and Lancashire broke the line to send Dominic Bryan in at the corner. Lancashire's goal attempt hit the far post to level 14-all.

With the clock ticking down, Rover's stand-off slotted over a field-goal to nudge his team ahead and, with the last play of a highly entertaining game, Lancashire saw a penalty attempt from just inside his own half drift narrowly wide.