Firsts pay penalty in away-day defeat

Upper Eden 1sts 13, Oldham 1sts 10

RUGBY UNION: A SLUGGISH start in miserable conditions proved costly for Oldham as they lost their latest North Lancashire and Cumbria clash.

In the opening 20 minutes the home side was quicker to the breakdown and regularly turned over possession or secured penalties as Oldham players held on because of a lack of support.

A third penalty conceded by the visitors in the opening four minutes saw a kick to the corner and a five-metre attacking line-out. A perfectly-executed catch and drive saw Martin Henderson trundle over the line for the opening try, converted by Daniel Todd.

The situation was compounded almost immediately when Oldham conceded a penalty near halfway that was advanced 10 metres following back chat. That took the kick to within Todd’s range and he increased the lead to 10-0 after only 10 minutes. Oldham had already conceded seven penalties by this stage.

The visitors realised they were in for a long and difficult afternoon if they didn’t wake up, and signs of life slowly began to emerge. The Manor Park men managed to recycle the ball a couple of times and were rewarded with a penalty, which Callum Megram slotted over to reduce the deficit to 10-3.

But Upper Eden added to their lead when Tom Hannon, standing still, was judged to have obstructed a chaser. He got 10 minutes in the sin-bin and Todd increased the hosts’ advantage to 13-3.

Just before half-time the visitors were hit by further problems when Joshua Watson left the field with a serious ankle injury which required an ambulance trip to hospital.

Watson has sustained multiple fractures to his tibia and a torn tendon and all at the club wish him a speedy recovery.

Despite that huge blow, Oldham enjoyed the benefit of the conditions in the second half, but they didn’t take advantage for the first 20 minutes as the mistakes continued.

As the game reached the final quarter more pressure was exerted on Upper Eden, which eventually saw Jordan McEwan drive over from short range.

Megram converted to reduced deficit to only three points with 15 minutes remaining.

At that point the visitors looked favourites to go on and take the four points, but Upper Eden were well-organised and tackled tenaciously.

Oldham had numerous chances to register the decisive score, but they went begging.