Conroy clinches share of spoils

Josh Watson scores for Oldham.

RUGBY UNION:

Oldham 1stS 12 Garstang 1sts 12

OLDHAM came from 12 points behind to earn a share of the spoils in this North Lancashire Division One fixture played in blustery conditions.

Without influential skipper Gareth Barber, Oldham knew they had a tough match on their hands, while the conditions did not help them produce their usual brand of free-flowing rugby.

Oldham spent the first half playing into the wind, but even though they lost Nick Hackman early on, their pack held the upper hand.

But Garstang scored against the run of play when they broke from the back of a scrum and completed a well-worked try which was converted.

A second, unconverted touchdown made it 12-0, but Oldham replied before half-time with a try of their own, Josh Watson diving over the line. Callum Meagram converted.

Oldham had the elements in their favour after the break, but they missed Barber’s steadying presence and it initially looked as though they would come up short. They levelled the score when Phil Conroy eluded the last defender to score a deserved try.

Will Mellor, whose sniping runs and quick tap penalties kept Garstang on the back foot, was Oldham’s man of the match.