Making their point

Going for it . . . Oldham’s Adam Waterhouse (left).

Oldham 16, Aspatria 16

GUTSY Oldham were held to a home draw by Aspatria in their latest North Lancashire and Cumbria League contest.

After the teams and supporters respectfully observed a minute’s silence in memory of Terry Hurst, the elements favoured Oldham in the first half and they enjoyed the majority of territory and possession early on.

However, Aspatria are a young and fit side and their energetic and combative defence resisted the early onslaughts of an enthusiastic Oldham team.

The pressure told when, after some heroic defence by the visitors on their own line, Tommy Hannon bulldozed his way over from five metres to deservedly open the scoring.

The difficult conversion was missed and Oldham led 5-0.

However, Aspatria admirably maintained their composure and soon hit back to score a first class try against the run of play.

Oldham retook the lead when Callum Megram slotted a penalty from the 22 to make it 8-5, and they increased the advantage shortly afterwards after disrupting an Aspatria scrum on halfway.

Will Mellor intercepted a desperate pass from the base of the scrum and darted down the left touchline, winning a kick and chase to touch down in the left corner.

It was an opportunistic effort, though the conversion was missed, so with half-time approaching, Oldham led 13-5.

Oldham defended magnificently in the backs and forwards for what seemed like forever, but eventually the try line was breached, making it 13-10 at the interval to the hosts.

Aspatria levelled when Josh Watson was harshly given 10 minutes in the sin bin for a high tackle when it appeared obvious to all that the player was already going to ground.

The Cumbrians then took the lead from a further penalty shortly after Oldham had tried to play out of defence rather than simply clearing their lines.

It was left Megram to hold his nerve and strike a magnificent goal to even the game up again at 16-16 in the closing stages.