ORUFC U15 v Bury U15

Oldham travelled to Bury in their latest Blacksticks league game knowing that a stern test awaited them, and Bury did not disappoint. The score line wasn’t really a true reflection of the game, as Bury probed, attacked all game and never gave up. A few elements of luck from the Oldham side on a few of the tries, and some shear brilliance at times ensured that Oldham remained unbeaten this season, and more importantly it’s 4.5 games since the team has conceded a single point.

The visitors were close to score in the first few minutes when Sam Taylor looked to have the line at his mercy, but the winger somehow lost the ball in the tackle and opportunity soon went. But fair play to Taylor who when worked his socks off to regain possession with some great defence.
Oldham opened up the scoring with Josh Jones-Dean going over after a strong arching run from the right to the left before opening his legs and running full tilt to the line for a great try. However, it was Phil Whittham who took the ball from the scrum to set up the platform for the attack. The kick missed, Oldham led 5-0.
Moments later, a great break up the centre of the field by Josh Molloy where he bust through and showed good speed and power, before being hauled down deep in the Bury half. The ball came to Whittham who found Rob Charles, who took the ball to the line and found the supporting Oscar Cheetham who galloped 40m downfield for another superb team try. Charles added the extras 0-12.
With Oldham now getting into the rhythm, the next try was a beauty. With the forwards of Matt Powell, Michael Rigby and Jones-Dean setting up position, it was the slick handling of the backs that found James Rice out wide. The centre took the ball up, drew his man and passed to the fleet footed winger, Aaron Gray who hit the overdrive and sprinted 30m to touchdown. 0-17 to Oldham.
The next try Oldham had a huge stroke of luck in that the referee had missed an earlier knock on that allowed centre James Rice run 45m down field, holding off two defenders in the process to touch down wide on the left. It was another great try and run by the centre, which showed the reason to play to the whistle. 0-22.
The last try in the half fell to second row, Adam Dransfield who again showed a great turn of pace, and power to touch down after shrugging off defenders to touch down over the line.

Half time score. Bury u15 0 v Oldham u15 27

The second half got under way, and with the message going out on using the ball more creatively, Oldham more or less did that straight away. It was that man again Phil Whittham who made another telling break into the heart of the Bury defence before Charles and Adam Berry found Rice wide out. Again, Rice hit the afterburners and scorched up the field leaving defender in his wake to touch down under the post. He duly added the conversion. 0-34. Under Blacksticks competition rules this ended the game as a competitive match but both sides were more than happy to carry on for the remaining time as a Friendly so that everyone could enjoy their mornings rugby.
With Jones-Dean refreshed after having a stint on the bench, he was soon thrust into action. From the kick off Charles took the ball on the full and brought Rigby into play, and the second rower showed great vision to make a half break into the Bury half. From the ruck Charles started to really dictate the play, the fly half found Jones-Dean inside the Bury half and the flanker showed great speed once more to outstrip the defence to touchdown wide on the right. 0-39
The next try was world class, and a contender for try of the season and won plaudits from the opposition coaches. Deep in the Oldham half, the visitors were out of options wide on the right. However, as Charles took the defence on, the fly half chipped the ball over the covering line, re-gathered on the full and accelerated up field. As the fly half drew the fullback, Cheetham was in support running full tilt, and with some outstanding support play, he took the pass from Charles and went 30m under the posts for a great try. Connor Widdup stepped up to kick the conversion. 0-46
Oldham nearly added a further try when Matt Powell crossed the line from the base of the ruck, but the official had blown up for a penalty.
It wouldn’t be an Oldham game if Whittham did not score his usual ‘scrum half poacher’ try, he is so accustomed to do. From the base of the scrum, he dummied and went through the gap and showed great acceleration and footwork to touch down under the posts. Josh Molly kicked the conversion 0-53
The last play of the game saw Jay Taylor cross for a typical Jay try, plenty of speed, power and acceleration saw the second rower take the defence on, and leave them grasping thin air as he touch down. Whittham kicked the final points of the game 0-60

Final Score: Bury U15s 0 v Oldham U15s 30 (** Adjusted)

All in all, another great performance for Oldham who again kept a clean sheet, but played some exceptional rugby at times. They implemented some new strategies and plays in the game, and even though a little rusty, time will show that they will benefit from the set pieces. Still plenty to work on as we welcome Broughton at home this weekend. The opposition named Robert Charles Man Of The Match.