Collegiate's second-half rally sinks Oldham RU

Oldham RUFC's potential relegation fate this season remains in its own hands despite Saturday's 24-15 home defeat by Liverpool Collegiate.

Having squeezed a narrow victory against the same opponents earlier in the season, and with what appeared on paper to be a stronger squad than in recent weeks, there was justified optimism in the Oldham camp ahead of the weekend.

Alas, it was not to be and Liverpool Collegiate, despite trailing 10-5 at the break, fully deserved their victory.

The first half saw the visitors dominate both possession and territory as Oldham struggled to get their line-out working efficiently, and to cross the gain line to service their backs with quick ball.

Both sides defended better than they attacked and very few chances were created at either end.

The Collegiate try came from drives close to the line and Oldham’s, by hooker Jordan McEwan, was the result of a powerful surge from a line out close to the try line.

Alex Jobson's five points from the boot (conversion and penalty) provided the difference.

The second half began promisingly and with a strong breeze in their favour Oldham threatened, but the Collegiate defence was in no mood to concede.

Then, suddenly, midway through the half Oldham seemed to implode, giving away a multitude of consecutive penalties with technical offences, and then, growing frustration, lack of self-discipline and consequent back-chat gave Collegiate the momentum to step up and they scored three unanswered tries to lead 24-10 with less than 15 minutes remaining on the clock.

A couple of injuries, enforced positional changes and a greater willingness to throw the ball around suddenly saw Oldham play their most effective rugby of the day with wingers in action at last.

With 10 minutes left Oldham gave themselves a possible lifeline when a clever switch of play saw Reece Blakeley offered a half chance which, with determination and skill, he took.

Jobson's kick was narrowly wide.

Minutes later Oldham created a clear two-man overlap 15 metres from the Collegiate line, with what appeared to be a nailed on score but, in what seemed to sum up the day's performance, with not a defender in sight the chance was missed, and the possible bonus point the try would have secured disappeared.

In the remaining minutes, Collegiate defended with sufficient energy to keep the home side at bay, but had Oldham played in this vein from the kick off the result could possibly have been very different.

MOM went to Isaac Dobbs for his non-stop tackling in defence and taking the ball forward at every opportunity.

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