Oldham show character to repel leaders’ rally

DRIVING FORWARD . . . Charlie Roscoe tries to make ground for Oldham.

Oldham RUFC 19, St Benedicts 1st 15

RUGBY UNION: NORTH Lancashire and Cumbria League leaders St Benedicts were brought down to earth by a resolute Oldham side who refused to buckle under a second-half onslaught.

The hosts were forced to make changes following their victory at Silloth the previous week, with Ryan Pickles unavailable and Luke Roscoe failing a late fitness test. Max Horsfall, Robert Froggatt and Charlie Roscoe all returned.

The start was delayed due to the late arrival of Saints, who also missed several key players, so it was perhaps no surprise that Oldham were on the offensive from the kick off.

Oldham’s pack worked hard and effectively, quickly recycling the ball and securing good field position which enabled Gareth Barber to put pressure on St Benedicts in their own 22 with a good kick to touch.

When Saints overthrew the line-out, Jordan McEwan released the Oldham backs, who moved the ball quickly for Callum Megram to cross the line. The difficult conversion attempt went wide.

Megram made it 8-0 with a penalty and when the visitors’ inside centre tip-tackled Charlie Roscoe and was sent to the sin bin, the reliable Megram converted another penalty.

If the first half belonged to Oldham, the second was ruled by St Benedicts, who played some lovely flowing rugby.

Yet it was Oldham who extended their lead when Josh Watson went over in the corner to make it 16-0.

The last 25 minutes were totally dominated by Saints as Oldham showed signs of tiredness.

Oldham were hanging on and Saints’ outside centre Jamie Doran, once of Wigan Academy and now of Workington Town, began to run the show.

But Oldham showed real grit and determination and Megram eased the pressure with another penalty which gave them a nine-point cushion.

Another excellent Saints try down the left hand flank left Oldham successfully defending a slender 19-15 lead for the final five minutes.