Oldham offensive sinks derby rivals

Photo: Tim Abram

Oldham’s Ryan Jackson shrugs off a tackle.

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OLDHAM RUFC 52, ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE 16

A MUDDY pitch with standing water failed to blunt the try-scoring flair of Oldham, who won this second North Lancashire and Cumbria derby in a fortnight.

Victory took Oldham to third in the table, while former RL ace Ray Ashton’s charges continue to languish at the foot of the division.

Goundsman Alan Hollingsworth worked wonders to ensure the game went ahead, but the Manor Park pitch will take time to recover.

The only changes in Oldham’s line-up saw Ryan Pickles starting the game in the absence of Jason Green, and Adam Waterhouse coming back in at number eight. The hosts took their time to find any sort of rhythm and conceded an early penalty for offside.

But after going three points behind, they hit back when Charlie Roscoe barged his way over the line under the crossbar. Callum Megram converted to make it 7-3.

Max Horsfall was sent to the sin bin, and while he was absent Ashton narrowed the gap to one point with another penalty. But the setback was only temporary: Oldham won a line-out, the forwards set up a rolling maul and birthday boy Jamie Edwards claimed his first try of the season. Megram converted.

Despite instructions to prevent Ashton from getting a foothold after the break, the visitors’ winger kicked a loose ball into the corner and the deficit was cut.

But Oldham soon re-established their dominance when Ryan Jackson was last to touch the ball after another rolling maul. After 56 minutes, Megram kicked a loose ball for Barber to chase and score, the former adding the extra points.

And Oldham went further ahead when Tom Hannon made the decisive break before Waterhouse and Phil Graham exchanged several passes before Waterhouse raced over on the left. Megram hit a post with his conversion attempt.

Sloppy Oldham defence gifted Ashton a second try before the hosts completed their try-scoring when Alex Jobson went over following a Will Mellor break and good support from Barber. Megram added the points again.