Oldham RU's early-season woes continue

Oldham's poor start to the season continued with a comprehensive 27-5 defeat at the hands of an improving Bolton side.

Nevertheless, their performance was hugely superior to the one they showed at Wigan when the Wigan backs, showing all their attacking skills, had a day to remember.

After 30 minutes amazingly the score was 0-0 despite Bolton having had 90% of the possession and a similar territorial advantage.

Oldham had held firm thanks largely to immense defensive performances by centres Josh Molloy and Josh Watson as they forcefully repelled wave after wave of attacks into the Oldham midfield by Bolton backs and forwards alike.

Oldham had only made two incursions into the Bolton half - firstly losing a line- out on their own throw five metres from the opposition line and secondly, after a long range attack from their own line and good driving saw them elect to go open when there appeared to be very little defence on the short side.

Bolton upped their efforts in the last 10 of the half and after winning two scrums on Oldham's feed, created the positions for a converted try and two difficult long- range penalties kicked in a tricky wind with consummate ease by the former National 3 player impressive player-coach Ross Hayden operating from fullback.

It was 13-0 at half-time.

It was a big ask of Oldham to come back from this score- line as the confidence and determination of some of the team seemed to have been blown away.

Two further converted tries in the first six minutes of the second half added to the gloom.

Second row Louis Critchlow dived over after some fine interpassing and then number 8 Paul Leigh created a walk-in with a powerful 20 metre burst from a line- out. 

Both centres and second row Greg Higgins off the field injured, and Oldham were looking down the barrel of a heavy defeat.

But, inspired by Jack Taylor, playing the best rugby of his long career, the always- impressive Isaac Dobbs and irrepressible scrum-half Lewis Fitton enjoyed their best period of the game.

A fine cross kick by Alex Jobson after neat handling, saw both Tom Davies and Reece Blakeley unmarked out wide and Davies was first to pounce for a good try.

Skipper Nick Hackman and front row Reece Jones both went close after powerful charges and good play by Jordan McEwan, but Bolton held firm and, seeking the fourth try bonus point countered strongly.

Oldham, despite a growing number of walking wounded, held out to deny them and special praise to wingers Phil Conroy and Blakeley who worked overtime covering the field, and back- row Karl Shenton for their efforts.

Congratulations Bolton who I expect will go on to surprise a few of the top teams this season, while Oldham must regroup and hope for good player availability, despite five regular senior first team players being absent until at least Christmas with long- term injuries.

Special praise to the ref who I felt, had an excellent game and dealt splendidly with some tough, aggressive, yet perfectly - timed tackles from both sides.

MOM went to Jack Taylor, who had a magnificent all round game.

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