Oldham RU Ladies give it their all in a thriller against Clitheroe

Oldham RUFC Ladies battled Storm Darragh as they made their way to Silcock Park for their first season clash with Clitheroe.

The Oldham team, led by Emma Procter, kicked off the first half and within two minutes, a knock on from Clitheroe turned the ball back over to Oldham.

The away team held strong in the scrum with scrum-half Katie Ross shipping the ball wide to newcomer Mia Laithwaite who made a run down the wing before being taken into touch.

Clitheroe, despite the strong winds, managed to win their own line out and made a break down the pitch that was cut short due to a dropped ball.

With a strong scrum, Oldham took full advantage, and with quick hands down the back line, Meg Hobin took the ball over the try line for the first try of the game.

From the reset, an Oldham handling error gave possession back to Clitheroe and with a forward drive, they scored their first try of the game.

Oldham ladies were up strong in the restart, applying pressure and forcing a forward pass by Clitheroe.

The home team won the ball back from the scrum and with a strong forward attack gained ground.

Excellent defensive efforts from inside centre Megan Farnhill and outside centre Charlotte Wilkinson, her first time in the position due to last-minute illness, forced the turnover back to Oldham ball.

Oldham drove forwards with strong carries before Mia Laithwaite went over the line for her first ever try and Oldhams second of the day.

A fantastic run by fly-half Meg Hobin saw the ball quickly get back into scoring territory, but an unfortunate knock-on saw possession handed back to the home side.

Clitheroe fought back with some great passing, but were tackled into touch as they made their way towards the try line.

Regaining possession, Oldham made their way back up the field with Captain Emma Procter smashing through the defence and over the white line.

Clitheroe kept the fight up and took the ball wide where with no defence in sight, the fast-footed number 14 had a clear run to the try line.

Half time was called and it was Clitheroe 17-15 Oldham.

Clitheroe kicked off the second half with a determined Oldham team making steady ground until a swift offload to the winger Mia led to a break up to the half-way line.

Subsequent strong carries by the forward pack took Oldham up into the opposition’s 22 and when a loose pass led to a bouncing ball, Emma Procter took the opportunity to break through the opposition line and handed her way off to go over for her second try of the day.

A conversion, also by Procter, added the two.

Clitheroe’s restart was well-fielded by fullback Kate Seville and Oldham benefited from a strong period of possession to push back up into the opponent’s half.

Clitheroe were quick to clear their lines when Oldham spilt the ball and an unfortunate fumble on collection gave Clitheroe possession in the opposition territory.

Oldham regained control for a brief period, but when the ball was lost on the floor, Clitheroe made the most of an overlap on the wing and scored their first points of the second half.

The wide conversion fell just short of the posts.

A strong carry down the wing by Clitheroe from the restart was cut out by a tackle into touch from the fullback.

Winning the line out, Oldham marched back up field with strong carries across the park and camped in the oppositions half.

A loose throw to the wing led to a Clitheroe put-in at the line-out, but the ball went long and was regained at the back by Oldham.

A charging Abbie Grant headed for the sticks before offloading to Megan Farnhill who used her pace to cut a line back around the defence to score near the wing.

The conversion attempt was missed.

Oldham held the ball from the restart with forward phase play before shipping it out to the backs who made a break of it down the left wing.

Another penalty had momentum with the Oldham forwards who fought hard for the try-line, only to find themselves held-up by a determined Clitheroe defence.

Oldham continued to take the game to the opposition with ball in hand, but when a knock-on gave the turnover, Clitheroe’s back line capitalised quickly with a runaway try under the sticks to level the score at 27 apiece.

A successful conversion gave the home side a narrow lead with seconds left on the clock.

Chasing the points deficit, Oldham’s line charged forward at the restart, but sleek footwork from Clitheroe saw them through a gap in the line for their second try in as many minutes.

The final score was Clitheroe 36, Oldham 27.

Clitheroe gave their Player of Match to Captain Emma Procter, with Oldham’s award going to Charlotte Wilkinson.

Following a break over Christmas, the Oldham Ladies will be back in full force to face a strong Aldwinians team at Manor Park on January 5.

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