Oldham close league campaign with narrow defeat

Oldham's Tom Davies leaves an opponent trailing in his wake

Oldham RUFC brought the curtain down on their regular league campaign with a narrow 8-7 defeat at De La Salle.

Nobody had told the players of either side it was to be a meaningless end-of-season fixture as both teams played with the passion and intensity of a major cup final.

In a hugely competitive contest Della, as their loftier league position would suggest, held a slight advantage in territory and possession, but although both teams struggled to show sustained finesse in attack it was hardly surprising considering the tremendous defence of every player on show.

Della led 3-0 just after the break - they had only created one clear cut chance, but an awesome tackle by full back Phil Conroy saw his much bigger opponent driven into touch with the line seemingly at his mercy.

Oldham scored with their first clear opportunity, when in the 65th minute, after neat hands by Ryan Arundale and Jordan McEwan, that man Conroy popped up on the outside to race over unopposed.

The trusty boot of Alex Jobson made it 7-3 to the visitors.

However, the hosts won the game with a powerful dive, from close in, through two defenders and in at the corner with the last play of the game .Kick missed .Game over.

Della winners by 8-7. Della “over the moon” and Oldham "sick as a chip”, as they say.

Coaches Jimmy Forster and Luke Roscoe were understandably gutted (after possibly the best performance of the season), but philosophical enough with their honest warriors to praise them and remind them that these things do happen in sport.

MotM went to Jordan McEwan, but any one of the 18 players who took to the field could have taken the accolade.

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.