Oldham come from behind to take the spoils

Oldham returned to Manor Park last weekend looking to get back to winning ways after narrowly missing out in the National Cup the previous week. 

Straight from the kick-off, the visitors came out firing, building through multiple phases with quick ruck speed and powerful carries to move deep into Oldham territory.  

Despite the defensive efforts of Chris Shaw, Isaac Dobbs, and Owen Hewson, the pressure eventually told as Clitheroe crossed for the game’s opening try, which was duly converted. Oldham 0–7 Clitheroe. 

With the wind at their backs, Clitheroe were soon back in Oldham’s 22, stringing together hard carries and slick handling.  

Once again, they found a way through to score their second try of the afternoon. The conversion drifted wide, but the visitors had built a commanding lead. Oldham 0–12 Clitheroe. 

From the kick-off, Oldham went deep, and a determined chase led by Sean Carter forced a hurried clearance that sailed out just outside the Clitheroe 22. Finally, Oldham had a platform to build from.  

From the lineout, they set up a catch-and-drive — a tactic that has served them well all season.  

Clitheroe held firm initially, but when the maul stalled, fly-half Jordan McEwan spread the play wide. Swift hands across the backline saw Jobson straighten and draw the drifting defender before offloading to winger Ryan Lord, making his first start in red and white.  

Lord brushed off two defenders to score in the corner for Oldham’s first try. Jobson converted impressively from out wide. Oldham 7–12 Clitheroe. 

It was exactly the response coach Jim Forster had asked for, and it sparked Oldham into life. 

Building confidence, they began to dominate possession with strong carries from Dean McEwan, Luke Ferrier, and Josh Semple.  

Their structured play soon earned a penalty after a lazy defender was caught at the ruck. Captain Tom Davies kicked to the corner, setting the forwards up again.  

The maul crept closer to the line before quick ball found Jordan McEwan, who delicately chipped over the defence for Jobson to gather and touch down under the posts. He added the extras. Oldham 14–12 Clitheroe. 

In previous seasons, Oldham might have struggled to recover from such a start, but this side showed real resilience.  

After strong Clitheroe pressure, crisp hands released winger Phil Conroy down the right touchline to put the hosts on the front foot. 

Patient phase play followed, with fine interplay between forwards and backs stretching the Clitheroe defence.  

Quick thinking from scrum-half Fitton saw him chip cross-field for Lord and Jobson to chase.  

Under pressure, the Clitheroe defender spilled the ball, allowing Jobson to pounce and dot down. Another successful conversion followed. Oldham 19–12 Clitheroe. 

The men in red and white were now in control. Relentless pressure from Carter, Davies, Shaw, and Hewson drove them back into the Clitheroe 22, where a defensive infringement handed Oldham a penalty. Jobson stepped up and struck cleanly to extend the lead. Oldham 22–12 Clitheroe. 

The pressure told again when Clitheroe were penalised for going off their feet, and a dissenting remark to the referee saw one of their players sent off. Jobson’s penalty attempt struck the upright — but winger Lord chased it down, regathered, and touched down for his second try of the game. Jobson added the extras, giving Oldham a commanding half-time advantage. Half-time: Oldham 29–12 Clitheroe. 

From the restart, Oldham immediately applied pressure through Semple, Higgins, and Dobbs.  

Clitheroe tried to spread the play, but Oldham’s drift defence was rock solid, forcing a loose pass that Davies scooped up before feeding Hewson, who released Lord to skip past two defenders and complete a well-deserved hat-trick. Jobson narrowly missed the conversion.n Oldham 34–12 Clitheroe. 

Oldham were now in full control, giving nothing away defensively. Relentless line speed from Rhys Jones, Harvey Ward, and Conroy forced more Clitheroe errors, as the visitors — still a man down — began to tire.  

A brief spell of Oldham indiscipline allowed Clitheroe to claw one back, crashing over for a try that went unconverted. Oldham 34–17 Clitheroe. 

Replacement Reece Blakeley, on for the injured Lord, made an instant impact with his energy and tackling. Another forced error saw Davies hack the ball through, winning the foot race to score Oldham’s final try of the afternoon. Jobson’s conversion drifted wide. 

Oldham 39–17 Clitheroe. 

Oldham might have felt the game was wrapped up, but a late yellow card to Jobson for a high tackle left them a man down.  

Clitheroe took the resulting penalty with ease to add to their afternoons tally. Oldham 39-20. 

Clitheroe continued to take advantage, scoring a late consolation try to secure a four-try bonus point. The conversion was successful. Full-time: Oldham 39–27 Clitheroe.