Early blitz lifts Saints

DESPITE a spirited effort from visitors Gateshead Storm, Oldham St Anne’s secured a 40-22 victory in Division Three of the Kingstone Press National Conference League.

Dominic Igoe was in fine form for Saints, who took an early lead thanks to a 70-yard interception try from Luke Skilling.

With Greg Worrall, Matt Whitehead and John Horton also touching down, plus four conversions from Whitehead, the home side looked to be coasting at 24-0 after half an hour.

Neil Emmerson starred for the visitors, and on the stroke of half-time Gateshead broke the line with an Andrew Morris try and conversion.

At the restart bottom club Gateshead again showed their skills with two quick tries from Stephen Welton and Paul Parkinson, and with Welton adding a conversion, they had closed within eight points of Saints.

Saints’ Rhys Waring was sent to the sin bin in the 50th minute, and this appeared to give his team a wake-up call as Niall Collins touched down and Whitehead converted.

A fine 40-20 kick from Whitehead then enabled Worrall to go in for his second try, and within minutes Skilling was on hand again to intercept a stray pass and race 70 yards to double his tally.

A Whitehead conversion put Saints ahead 40-16, but not to be outdone, Gateshead finished off with a fine break from halfway by Parkinson to earn him a second try.

Welton completed the scoring, but Saints ran out comfortable winners.