ON a heavy Oldham pitch, Woolston Rovers got their season in Division 3 off to a winning start with a 10-16 victory at Saddleworth Rangers.
For the first 15 minutes both teams’ defences were on top form as they cancelled each other out. Rovers were the first to break the deadlock and Andrews made a break, with the ball passing inside to Mellor and then Cosgrove before Maunder finished off the move with a try. Mellor converted to give Woolston a 0-6 lead.
Following a mid-field battle it was Saddleworth who struck back with a try wide on the left after 30 minutes. This was converted to level the scores and with half time approaching Saddleworth scored an unconverted try to take the lead at 10-6.
An early sin bin for Andrews for a high tackle had Woolston reduced to 12 men at the beginning of the first half. Woolston’s defence held strong as Saddleworth failed to make good their advantage. After 15 minutes Whittaker made a break and was awarded a penalty following a high tackle. Welch was stopped just short of the line and Briggs darted over from acting half to level the scores. Ten minutes later Saddleworth had a player sin binned for dissent and Mellor kicked the penalty to take the lead at 10-12. Just five minutes later and Leicester was sin binned for the same offence but Saddleworth missed the penalty kick.
With time running out Andrews made a break and found Mellor in support. Briggs ran from acting half and Cosgrove went over for a try in the corner, bringing the final score to 10-16.
Mellor was named Man of the Match and was well supported by Briggs, Maunder and Andrews.
Woolston Rovers:
Dave NEIL, Daniel WHITTAKER, Paul BERRY, John WELCH, Martin CORKER, Ryan COSGROVE, Billy MAUNDER, Dave MULVEY, Mike BRIGGS, Chris BENNION, Simon McEVOY, Luke ANDREWS, Chris MELLOR, James DUDLEY, Gareth CLAFFEY, Mike LEICESTER, Simon WESTON.
Woolston Rovers A 6 – 26 Halton Simms Cross A
Fielding a 2nd team for the first time since the club reformed, Woolston Rovers kicked off the new season at home to a Simms Cross team featuring more than a sprinkling of first team players. Due to injuries and commitments, the squad was lacking a number of players and so the 2nd team was named with the bare 13 and a very young look to it.
Rovers played the first 15 minutes with just 12 men and conceded a relatively early try, but then went on to more than hold their own for much of the first half once up to the full compliment of 13. Solid Simms’ defence held out the Rovers attack on their line for three straight sets. Simms started to pull away towards the end of the 1st half with two converted tries as the home defence fatigued a little. HT: 0-18
Rovers continued to match their opponents gamely in the 2nd half, despite playing most of the half with just 12 men after a shoulder injury to fullback Bright. Simms Cross again crossed, before Rovers hit back with a try under the posts from Danny McNamee following some solid work by the forwards. The try was goaled by young half back Jake Crank. Rovers then went on to play some exciting rugby and had the visitors defence stretched on more than one occasion. Simms Cross however completed the scoring with a try out wide to take the win 26-6.
The man of the match award went to scrum half Jake Crank, in what was a monumental effort by all 13 players against the odds. Special mention must also go to Chris McKean and forwards George Smith, Sam Files and Ste Dowson who all worked tirelessly for the full 80.
Woolston Rovers A:
Mike BRIGHT, Chris McKEAN, Mike MILBOURNE, Danny McNAMEE, Richard BRENNAN, Aled JOHNSON, Jake CRANK, Sam FILES, Mike WALKER, Ste DOWSON, George SMITH, Ross SAYERS, Mike McNAMARA
