Oldham bounce back with victory at Wigan

ADM Premier Division: Wigan 8-19 Oldham

Oldham started the game really well, playing up the hill and into the elements. Wigan were conceding penalties and were forced into mistakes as Oldham dominated proceedings. They put together some impressive phases of play from the outset but the changes in personnel in midfield occasionally led to a breakdown in communication and continuity. But a lot of what went on was good to watch and bodes well for the future. But, despite this dominance, they weren’t able to get the scoreboard moving and the hosts survived a difficult opening 15 minutes.

As the momentum began to shift, Oldham’s frustration began to show, and started to concede too many penalties. Wigan began to build pressure in the Oldham 22 and despite some excellent defence, Wigan eventually opened the scoring with a try in the corner to lead 5-0. The restart didn’t go the required 10 metres and Oldham were immediately under the cosh again.  The penalty count was becoming a nuisance and Oldham were all praying for the half time whistle with Wigan having an attacking 5m line out. However, Oldham's defence was resolute, and they cleared our lines. Moments later they created space on the left and Nick Hackman broke from his own half and timed a pass perfectly to release Jack Taylor on the left wing on the 10m line. Jack attacked the space well and found himself one on one with the full back. A shimmy and a feint left him flat-footed, and he scored by the posts to level the scores. He was fouled in the act of scoring and a yellow card was issued. However, it didn’t result in a penalty try, although the same incident at West Park did. Any how the conversion was missed and at half time the scores were level. 

Wigan started the second half well and regained the lead with a penalty on the 22 but Oldham started to use the elements and Froggatt in particular hoofed some huge kicks deep into the Wigan 22. A kick is only as good as the chase of course and Dalloway, Townsend, Taquila, North and Hewson put in a great shift to put pressure on the Wigan defence and keep them deep in their own territory. But penalties at the breakdown continued to plague the visitors, and with 20 minutes to go Oldham were still behind on that all important scoreboard.

Oldham then produced the best piece of attacking play of the day. They turned the ball over just outside the 22 and Brennan made a great break down the left with a show and go. He fed McEwan who produced an excellent inside ball to Jack Taylor who ran a great line through the defence to score untouched by the posts. Froggatt's conversion made the score 8-12.

Oldham were well on top now with Wigan struggling to get out of their own territory and the victory was sealed when Brennan picked up and scored from the back of a 5m scrum with about 15 minutes to play. McEwan's conversion made the final score 8-19. 

Dave Roscoe