Clinical Oldham march to victory

Photo: Tim Abram

Oldham RUFC 1st 78 Whitehaven 1st 12 Rob Froggatt and John Souter

RAMPANT Oldham completed a sixth North Lancashire and Cumbria League double of the season as they made short work of Whitehaven in their penultimate fixture of the season.

Already relegated and missing several key players, Whitehaven knew they were in for a challenging afternoon as Oldham fielded a virtually full-strength side once again.

A flurry of scoring either side of the 20-minute mark saw Oldham score three tries in quick succession.

Greater pace on the outside, skilful organisation by fly-half Gareth Barber and power from number eight Joe Hesse then saw six tries all scored by backs, and with Callum Megram converting three – including superb kicks from both touchlines – Oldham held a convincing 42-5 half-time lead.

It was just never going to be Whitehaven’s day.

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More tries followed at regular intervals throughout the second half and despite two fine scores by Callum Jennings, who was the pick of a hard-working Cumbrian pack, Oldham ran out comfortable winners.

Captain Barber (three), Ryan Pickles (two), Adam Waterhouse (two), Rob Froggatt, Megram, John Souter, Ryan Arundale, Alex Jobson and Will Mellor were the Oldham try-scorers, with Megram converting six times.

That took his season’s points tally to over 200.

Wigton will provide stiffer opposition in the final fixture this weekend.

They are only side Oldham have not secured a league point against this season.

A superb fourth place finish is looking possible – something no-one involved with the club would have dared dream of at the start of the season.

Coaches John and Andy O’Grady deserve massive praise for their success in adding discipline, organisation and a burning desire to win to the youthful squad who are looking forward to the toughest pre-season they will have ever faced with boundless enthusiasm.