Saturday saw a tough away fixture down at Oldham, the selectors had a tough week with John Greenland, Nick Hamer, Jack Edmondson, Brad Wheatman, Chris Whaley and Nathan OConnor all not available - in came 3 debutants with Jack Dorsett, Giacomo Carlucci and Arran Sewell. Adam Seaton and Martin Pike formed a new partnership in the 2nd row with Will Briggs returning to the wing.
Oldham had a much bigger pack than the Carnforth 8 and it was vital the visitors got off to a good start on a big playing arena. The hosts had a bright start with their pack utilising their advantage but once the ball came free after 4 minutes, Mathew Short sent the pass out wide to Briggs, still with plenty to do the winger set off down the flank before cutting back inside for another excellent solo try, Mathew Short converting.
Carnforth were now enjoying plenty of possession, Dan Blenkharn, Jason Short and Dorsett all making breaks at the defence. 20 minutes in and with Seaton on the naughty step, Carnforth extended their lead, Blenkharn and Joe Harrison linked up to allow winger Sam Tomlinson to glide down the right flank to cut back and score, Mathew Short adding the extras.
Oldham never wilted and they were useful in the backs with a hard running centre causing problems all day, they were on the board with a well struck penalty. Carnforth had to defend for a while with Harrison, Tomlinson and full back Dale Lowrie all putting in graft in their own half. 30 minutes into the game and Carnforth got over for their 3rd try, a spell of pressure resulted in Blenkharn twisting and weaving before going under the posts for a try, Mathew Short converted.
A second penalty from Oldham saw the half end with Carnforth holding a 21 - 6 lead, game far from over as Oldham were to try and prove. The hosts started the second half strongly and looked capable of announcing a come back. The centre and stand off started to link well, the scrum half had a great battle with Donald Haddow who again had a tremendous 80 minutes. On came the subs to freshen up the Carnforth team, Sewell showing a few fine touches and Carlucci getting stuck in during his first union game.
8 minutes into the half and the deficit was down to 8 with a converted try, the centre powering through the defence. Oldham now had their confidence and to some on the sidelines they looked the likely victors.
But Shane has instilled some determination into this Carnforth outfit and back they came with well worked moves from the front row, Jason Waterhouse, Dave Hones and Weed himself taking charge. Sewell and Haddow linked well down the right before Tomlinson, now in the second row, was able to burst through a gap to score under the posts, Mathew Short slotting the two, this was followed by a penalty to increase the lead to 31 - 13.
With 5 minutes to go, Oldham cleared the ball downfield and Briggs took the catch inside his own 22, the winger had plenty of space before setting off on a superb jinking run, cutting through the defence before being able to go clear and score an excellent individual try for his second of the game and 7 in 4 games since joining the club. Mathew Short slotted the extra 2. Oldham had the last say in the game with a second try for their centre as Carnforth took victory 38 - 18.
This weekend sees Rochdale 3rds the visitors.
Man of the match - Will Briggs