Browse Sections

• Oldham Athletic FC
• Oldham Roughyeds'
• Local football
• Local cricket

Saints stun champs

2/11/2005

OLDHAM St Annes had their first win over Leigh Miners Rangers since March 2003 with a 32-20 win, confining the National Conference League Premier Division champions to their third consecutive defeat.

The visitors conceded six penalties in the opening 12 minutes, Kiel Lancashire landing two goals to set the ball rolling before Andy Sands' break saw David Harris go over.

Leigh had to wait until the 15th minute before they were awarded a penalty, but two in quick succession brought their first try when Shaun Phoenix found a gap to go over by the posts. Simon Hartley added the extras.

Oldham capitalised on a low Lancashire restart to apply pressure on Leigh, culminating in Jason Akeroyd's first try of the season. Lancashire kicked the conversion.

Lancashire saw a try ruled out for offside just before the break, although Saints went over in stoppage time as Kevin Fitzpatrick went over for another converted try.

With Wingfield in the sin bin, Leigh were further aggrieved when he was joined by team-mate Redicliffe to hand Saints a two-man advantage.

Saints duly capitalised on their numerical advantage as David Sweeney went in for a converted try to make it 26-6.

However, the sin-binning of Saints' Rafferty for holding down in the tackle saw Leigh score three tries in his absence through Redicliffe, Daley and Hartley.

The game was there for the taking with 16 minutes left, but Saints responded as Harris scored his second try, goaled by Sweeney.

Saints' A side came back from Barrow with a 14-12 victory against Roose Pioneers, Leon Wilkes and Richard Lofthouse scoring first-half tries.

Two Kay penalties then secured the win for Saints.

Four early tries saw Saints' under-nines lose six tries to three against Ince Rose Bridge.

Corey Hopwood and boy-of-the-match Sam Akeroyd (two) scored the tries, Hopwood winning the top try prize, Luke Skilling top tackler and Josh Berry most improved player.

Four tries gave Saints' under-11s an 18-0 win against Crosfields.

Jack Ashworth, Lewis Galbraith, Danny Richardson and Matthew Toop scored the tries, Toop adding a conversion.

Dominic Bryan was man-of-the-match, Declan Taylor top tackler, Toop best newcomer, Richardson most improved player, while Ashworth won the moment of the match award.

Saints' under-12s went down 8-6 to Shevington Sharks. Nathan Hughes scored their only try, Bradley Quinlan adding the goal.