Saints slog it out for victory

OUCH: Danny Rouse (Castleford Lock Lane) is pinned to the turf by Waterhead’s Will Schofield in their National Conference Division 2 clash which the Yorkshire visitors won 24-8.

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OLDHAM St Anne’s ‘A’ ran out comfortable winners against their counterparts from Wigan St Patricks, winning 34-5 in North-West Counties league division one.

In a game played out in atrocious conditions, Saints took the lead with a Steve McHugh penalty which was answered by David Middleton’s drop goal for the visitors.

From then on, the Oldham side controlled things. Good build-up from Andy Deakin and Martin Ryan led to Ben Fitzhugh crossing for a McHugh-goaled try, before Ryan was on hand to take a John Doherty offload for another effort that McHugh improved.

Just before the interval, Ben Ingham took two defenders over the line for Saints’ third try and McHugh’s conversion gave the unusual scoreline of 20-1 at half-time.

Rick Badby entered the fray after the break and helped winger John Lamb score in the corner five minutes in, before Badby crossed himself under the posts, McHugh kicking his fifth goal.

Simon Speckman scored under the posts for the Wigan side, but the conditions were so bad that the wind held back his conversion attempt.

With 10 minutes left Lamb crossed for his second St Anne’s try of the day, before both sides agreed to call a premature end to the game for safety reasons.


POWERFUL Irlam Hornets blew away Higginshaw to the tune of a 42–2 win in North-West Counties league division four.

After Higginshaw took the lead with an early penalty from Ryan O’Donnell on eight minutes, it was one-way traffic as the home team dominated proceedings.

Irlam hit back with a converted try on 10 minutes, added a drop goal and went on to score two further six-pointers for a 17-2 lead.

Higgy went close when Adam Horabin chased O’Donnell’s chip through, but the ball rolled dead.

In the second half, another drop goal made it 18–2 and the home team then scored four tries in a 15–minute period to take the game away from Higginshaw.

The visitors produced an improved defensive stint in the final quarter, with Gareth Franklin, Steve Perry, Scott Hewson, man-of-the-match David Sweeney and Michael Smith standing out.



SADDLEWORTH Rangers ‘A’ lost 32-10 at home to Widnes West Bank in division three, Waterhead ‘A’ triumphed 34-16 away at Newton Storm in division five and in the same section, Rochdale Cobras were edged out 2-1 away at Hindley.



HOLLINWOOD are still seeking their first victory of the season after going down 66-4 at Selby in Pennine League division four.

This clash between top and bottom of the table was a close one for the opening half-hour and at one stage — thanks to a Rob Penswick try for the visitors — Hollinwood only trailed 14-4.

However, Selby stepped up their game to lead 26-4 at half-time.

Bad tackling then allowed the home team to stretch the lead with three quick tries.

Paul Johnson was voted Hollinwood’s man-of-the-match ahead of twin brother Mark and Alistair Williams.

Andy Brown added much-needed fire in the front row and Neil Messenger and Darren Cooper both worked hard.




RUGBY Oldham has launched a new polo shirt sporting the crest from the ‘golden years’ when the famous Watersheddings side was known as Oldham Football Club.

It is the third shirt produced by the Trust, following the red-and-white hooped jersey and last year’s all-white effort. Coming in red, white or blue, the shirt features the club crest from the that period.

The money raised from the sale of the shirts will go towards helping develop rugby league across the borough.

The price is £15 per shirt and delivery is free throughout Oldham and district and £4 otherwise.

Call (0161) 652 5794, (0161) 620 9583 or (01457) 875084 to order or visit www.rugbyoldham.org