Depleted Oldham RU defeated by Tyldesley in Lancashire Plate

Oldham entertained Tyldesley on Saturday in the first round of the Lancashire Plate, eventually losing 41-17.

This was always going to be a difficult game for Oldham with several players unavailable.

They gave first team debuts to Karl Shenton and Josh Molloy, son of former player coach at Oldham Steve Molloy - an England rugby league legend.

Tyldesley kicked off deep into the Oldham half.

Unfortunately Oldham’s defensive kick went straight to the hands of the Tyldesley number 10 ( Aaron Booth ) who made a lovely break down the left wing before passing to left winger number 14 ( Ben Farrell ) who raced over to score.

Booth converted to make the score 0-7 after just two minutes.

Oldham came back strongly and camped on the Tyldesley line for a full 20 minutes.

Excellent drives by new club captain Nick Hackman, Cameron Wood, Jack Taylor and Dean McEwan saw them get close but unfortunately could not secure a score.

Oldham’s pressure finally resulted in a penalty which was converted by Alex jobson to put them only four points in arrears.

Unfortunately Oldham then suffered the first of 3 bad injuries.

Shenton made a lovely break but was injured in the covering tackles to be replaced by Brian Massey in the back row.

The pressure was now reversed and Tyldesley took full advantage of a quick penalty close to the line for number six Edge Connor to drive over.

Booth hit the post with the conversion to make it 3-12.

Tyldesley now controlled the game with Booth orchestrating their forward drives and quick passing for number 18 Elliot Johnson to cross the line unopposed.

Booth slotted over the conversion.

It was then Oldham’s turn to impress.

They drove forward with Massey and Molloy both making good ground.

From a resulting scrum the ball went wide for Molloy to put Jobson on an arcing run to outpace the cover and force his way over in the corner.

Jobson converted from the touchline. 10-19 at half time.

Garyn Allen was replaced by Jordan McEwan at scrum half at the start of the second half.

The deficit at this point was not unsurmountable and with both sides playing some good open rugby Oldham were still in with a chance.

That changed very quickly, however.

Booth slotted over a penalty (10-22).

Then forced his way over to score a try near the post which he converted.

George Hutton number 13 went over for a try and Connor got his second. Booth converted the Connor try.

It was now 10-41 to Tyldesley.

Then Oldham’s whose continued with Hackman leaving the field with the recurrence of an old injury to be replaced by Allen, and shortly afterwards prop Jack Sayle, with what looked like a serious ankle injury.

He was replaced by Marshall Yates.

Oldham then secured good ball from a lineout,

Massey drove 15 meters into the Tyldesley 22.

The ball was recycled quickly and Tom Davies found Jobson with a long pass to outpace the cover and send winger Phil Conroy through for a great try under the posts.

Jobson converted to make it 17-41.

Man of the match went to Jack Taylor for an all-round display in attack and defence.

Tyldesley were one of the stronger teams in the league last season so it is difficult to tell if Oldham have made any progress.

They will find out next week when they travel to Leigh for their first league game of the new season.

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