Oldham have work to do after Didsbury defeat at home

Greg Higgins

Oldham 14 - 40 Didsbury

The fixture between these two clubs has always been a tasty encounter with honours even over the last few years.
 
Didsbury went into this game having played eight and won eight, Oldham were on four wins from their eight outings. It was going to be hard but having home advantage Oldham were hopeful of getting something out of the game.

Didsbury kicked off on an overcast but otherwise great day for rugby. Oldham started badly, giving away to many penalties but good defensive work from Jordan McEwan and Adam Walker kept the away side out. However on 13 minutes Oldham gave away a very kickable penalty and again on 16 minutes to go 0 - 6 down.

It was obvious that Didsbury were well organised and well drilled, they were backing up and keeping the ball alive and available for their runners and on 20 minutes went over for their first try. Both sides were allowing mistakes to creep into their game but the Didsbury number 12, Tom Andrews, made no mistake with yet another easily kickable penalty from in front of the posts.

From the restart Didsbury worked the ball back to just outside of the Oldham 20 metre area. From a lineout there were three phases of rugby and  Didsbury went over for their second try, then right on halftime they added a third, both were converted to leave a halftime score of Oldham 0 - 28 Didsbury.

Whatever Coach Jimmy Forster said at the break clearly had an effect. Oldham started the second period with a clear sense of purpose, establishing themselves in the Didsbury half with only a good relieving break by the impressive Didsbury eight Harry Rigby easing the pressure.

The game settled into a bit of an arm wrestle but the finely balanced second half was disturbed when Rob Froggatt was given 10 minutes in the bin for diving over the top in the ruck. Didsbury used the advantage well, putting the ball through hands to score another converted try. The Oldham coach made the changes with Rhys Jones, Jack Sayle and Phil Conroy replacing John Souter, Dean McEwan and Alex Jobson respectively. Oldham’s scrum and lineout had been pretty good all afternoon and the replacements in the front row kept up the good work.

Oldham had a penalty that Rhys Jones kicked deep into the Didsbury 20 metre area. From the lineout the forwards set up a rolling maul that drove all the way up to and over the try line with Jones claiming the try. Jones converted his try to make the score 7 - 35.

With ten minutes left Oldham had penalty virtually on the Didsbury 5 metre line, opting for the scrum the Oldham pack drove towards the line, the Didsbury defence were constantly infringing and the referee had no option other than to award a penalty try.

Didsbury managed to an an unconverted try just before the final whistle.

The game wasn’t as one sided as the score line might suggest. Clearly, Oldham have some work to do but their set pieces are strong and there is a great spirit in the camp. Oldham’s player of the game was Greg Higgins, he didn’t take a backward step all afternoon in attack or defence.

The squad
15 Alex Jobson 14 Alex Kurkiewicz 13 Adam Walker 12 Owen Hewson 11 Phil Whitham 10 Jordan McEwan 9 Louis Fitton 8 Rob Froggatt 7 Adam Takila 6 Nick Wright 5 John Souter 4 Greg Higgins 3 Dean McEwan 2 Jack Taylor 1 Tom Hannon 16 Phil Conroy 17 Jack Sayle 18 Rhys Jones 19 Sam Lambert 20 Jimmy Forster

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.