Derby-day spoils go to impressive Saints

IT'S CRUNCH TIME: Saints' rivals put the pressure on Waterhead's Tom Houraghan

OLDHAM St Anne's secured the local bragging rights as they triumphed 32-16 at Waterhead in the National Conference League Division Three.

However, despite racing into an 18-0 lead early in the first half, Saints had to withstand a determined Waterhead side that played with determination and fire, at times defying their lowly league position.

Saints took the lead when loose-forward Sam Akeroyd spotted a gaping hole in the home defence to go in under the posts unopposed.

Hooker Callum Fletcher then broke away from the base of the scrum to score, before Akeroyd - who was a constant threat throughout with his attacking and defensive efforts - sent Matty Bottom in for Saints' third try before the end of the first quarter. Matthew Whitehead landed all three conversions.

The home side dug deep, and were rewarded when centre Ciaran Dean squeezed in at the corner after collecting a chip through from Scott Owen.

ATTACK

From the restart, Waterhead mounted another attack and stand-off Terry Fitzgerald crossed the line for Jamie Mayall to add the touchline conversion.

Dominic Bryan added another un-goaled try for Saints just before the break.

Both packs were driving forward late on, and the hosts only succumbed when substitute Matthew Fogarty was dismissed in the 65th minute when he disputed a controversial call from the match official,.

He was first shown a yellow card, and then a red after kicking the ball away.

Despite brave efforts from James Perks and man-of-the-match Tom Houraghan, the Warriors couldn't prevent Saints extending their lead when John Deakin and Akeroyd put fellow forward Paddy Fitzsimmons through a gap.

Saints wrapped up their victory when Whitehead broke away down the right to send an overhead pass out to Luke Skilling, who finished off in the corner. Whitehead added the goal.