Single-point defeat for gutsy Oldham

Just like England in their World Cup semi-final, Oldham RUFC lost by just one point at the weekend, 25-24 at home against Southport.

Oldham started well and opened the scoring with a lovely flowing move that started near their own 22 and saw blindside winger James Perks join the line and split the defence, giving full back Jenson Hamilton a clear run to the line from halfway.

Alex Jobson’s conversion made the score 7-0.

Southport soon struck back with a penalty to reduce the arrears to 7-3 and then took the lead when they eventually breached a dogged Oldham defensive line to lead 8-7.

The rest of the half was fairly even, but it was Southport who increased the lead 11-7 at half time following a second penalty.

Again the hosts started the second period impressively. 

A wrap around by Jobson was a faint and a dummy by Andy Joy created acres of space which he exploited and gave Hamilton a free run to the posts.

Jobson’s conversion gave us an 14-11 lead.

This was extended to 17-11 by a further Jobson penalty, even though we were still down to 14 men at this point.

Southport roared back with a converted try to lead 18-17, only for Oldham to immediately retake the lead following some great work by the pack.

Some heavyweight picking and driving from Rob Froggatt, Isaac Dodds, Tom Fereday, Ryan Pickles and Adam Takila lead to a penalty close to the try line.

Fitton reacted quicker than the opposition and in true Fitton style bounced off a couple of would be tacklers like a pinball to touch down.

An excellent Jobson conversion made the score 24-18 with about 10 minutes on the clock.

Time for another yellow card for Oldham unfortunately and time for a further converted try for Southport to lead 24-25.

Oldham thought that they had sealed a victory with a flowing move from their own try line on more or less the last play, only for the touch judge to raise a flag 10m from the line after Hamilton had touched down near the posts.

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