Win tees up tasty Ormskirk double
OLDHAM .................................... 12 WIDNES ...................................... 30 IDNES were far from their best in this one at Manor Park, but did enough to secure another bonus point victory that keeps them hot on the tails of leaders Didsbury at the top of the table.
They scored four tries in the process through Arnie Haydock, Antony Leadbetter, Mike Garrity and Tom Spencer, with the trusty boot of Captain Kevin Leadbetter doing the rest.
The win sets them up nicely for the double header with Ormskirk whom they face in successive home games starting this coming weekend.
Conditions for the game were almost perfect. There was some pleasant sunshine on show, no wind to speak of, and the pitch was in excellent condition.
Widnes took an early lead when a high challenge on fullback Antony Leadbetter resulted in brother Kevin slotting over an easy penalty, with the offending Oldham player being invited to spend ten minutes in the sin-bin as a result.
In the 13th minute, Leadbetter converted a second penalty to double the visitor’s advantage.
WAt this point, the game began to resemble something of a ‘penalty-thon’ with both sides falling foul of the referee and making it something of a stopstart affair.
After 20 minutes, Kevin Leadbetter pulled another penalty wide of the target before it was Oldham’s turn to lay siege to the Widnes line.
Finally, after absorbing a whole load of pressure, Oldham managed to crack the red-andblacks defence as prop forward had enough momentum to crash over for a try from close range, and with Robert Froggatt adding the extras, the home side were now in front by the narrowest of margins.
Matty Walker was then forced to leave the field with a leg injury and he was replaced by Lee Holland who was making his first appearance.
Not to be outdone, Widnes replied almost immediately, as more good work saw Arnie Haydock crash over for his fourth try of the campaign with Kevin Leadbetter adding the extras.
The last word of the half, though, was saved for the home side who took advantage of a speculative up and under to cross wide out for a second try which left them trailing by just a point at the half way stage.
At this stage, the game was evenly poised. Oldham would start the second half determined to build on their improving momentum towards the latter part of the first half, whilst the Wids would be keen to try and regain some of their missing composure and game management if they had ambitions to kick on and win the game.
The mistakes from the visitors, though, were still there and they bombed a great chance early on when they failed to take advantage of an overlap. However, things did come right in the 48th minute when finally, some quick, crisp, handling sent full-back Antony Leadbetter over for a try. Brother Kevin also added the conversion to extend the visitor’s lead to eight points.
Things would get even better for the Wids on the hour mark, when a line-out move honed on the training paddock paid dividends for Mike Garrity to cross for their third try to calm their nerves.
Just three minutes later, a bout of fisticuffs suddenly broke out, and when the referee had restored order, three players – two from Oldham and one from Widnes - received their marching orders.
Widnes then introduced Adam Loughnane from the bench as the away side were forced into something of a reshuffle.
After that, a Mike Jones break should have yielded more points, but things would come right in the final analysis as the simple and calm approach created the overlap to send in wing man Tom Spencer for his third try in as many matches.
Afterwards, Head coach Any McIntosh said “Credit to Oldham who made us fight all the way for our win today. It was never easy, but we did just enough to back up from last week although we did make it hard for ourselves at times.
There were quite a few changes today, including a debutant and a last-minute stand in and very pleased on 80 minutes to get over the line. One incident marred the game which was played in good spirit.
Elsewhere, there was a big shout out to the Seconds and a welcome return for the Thirds today. Three wins made it a great Saturday on the field for the Club”.
Next up for Andy McIntosh’s boys is a home league game against Ormskirk on Saturday afternoon.
Up until last weekend, the Green Lane boys had been doing it tough having lost their opening five matches, but they upped their game to secure a narrow, but valuable victory against West Park, to really give themselves a boost going into this game.
Despite their recent good run of form, this will be another tough encounter for the ‘redand-blacks’ who are also scheduled to meet the same opponents again at Heath Road a week later in a first round League Cup tie.
The game kicks off at 2.15pm.