Gillan’s hat-trick proves in vain

Oldham RU 27, Keswick 37

JOHN GILLAN had the misfortune of scoring a hat-trick of tries for Oldham RUFC and still finishing on the losing side as Keswick triumphed in a high-scoring match at Manor Park.

It left Oldham without a win in North Lancs/Cumbria division after their opening two league matches.

It was a game in which both teams played some attacking and entertaining rugby with Oldham’s main problem being their defence which obviously needs strengthening.

But it looks as though the season could be similar to recent campaigns in which Oldham have made notoriously slow starts before achieving a settled side and success.

Oldham took a second-minute lead when Keswick spilled possession. Joe Hesse hacked the ball forward and Gillan won the chase for the loose ball, rounded the Keswick full back to score.

Keswick were quickly on level terms when scrum half Matt Roper touched down following a penalty close to the Oldham line.

Andy Gorey’s penalty put Oldham back in front before Keswick took charge with tries from Viv Wilmott and Dave Ray and a terrific long-range drop goal from John Hines as they established a 20-8 advantage shortly before half time.

Oldham clawed their way back into the game when Gareth Barber made a break and released Gorey who scored in the corner to reduce the deficit to 20–13 at the break.

Disaster struck at the start of the second half when Oldham conceded two further tries from Phil Smith and Brian Storey as they suddenly found themselves 30-13 behind and with a proverbial mountain to climb.

But it is one they so nearly scaled as they produced a spirited recovery to trail 30-27 with 10 minutes left.

Gillan ran almost the full length of the field for his second try, a brilliant breakaway, man-of-the-match Will Mellor released Gorey who scored a second try before Gillan completed his treble. Gorey kicked two conversions and suddenly it was game back on.

Oldham were in the ascendancy and Keswick were desperately holding on to their lead.

But with Oldham forced to take risks, they were caught on the break in the dying seconds as Andy Wallace burst through to score, with Hine kicking the conversion to seal a victory which Oldham had looked like snatching until that last-gasp score.