Didsbury Toc H 26 – 36 Oldham

The home side named a strong team for the encounter, but were missing Rob Roughley who has put in some sterling performances at centre this season. A reshuffle also saw captain Mike Hyde named in the accustomed role of number 8.

Oldham started the game well, and demonstrated why they are riding high in the league and why they beat table toppers Trafford MV in their last outing. Didsbury negotiated the early onslaught, but unfortunately lost Hyde to an injury after 10 minutes. There followed a spell of 20 minutes were Didsbury failed to meet the Oldham attack with the required defence, allowing the visitors to score 3 unanswered tries (0-21). Didsbury should have pulled a try back when their pack drove from outside the 22 to within touching distance of the tryline, only for an Oldham defender being able to snaffle the ball at the last moment.
Didsbury’s pack had the upper hand in the tight exchanges, and from a 5 metre attacking scrum they drove over the line allowing Aidan Murphy to score (7-21). Didsbury continued attacking until the halftime whistle, but were unable to add to the scoreline.

Oldham opened the scoring in the second half with a well worked move for a try out wide (7-26), but Didsbury struck back when great handling freed the awesomely powerful winger Dave Hoare to dive in at the corner. Ian Jenkinson, who kicked outstandingly all match, unfortunately struck the post with the very tricky conversion attempt (12-21). Unfortunately, much like the first half, every mistake by Didsbury was capitalised on by Oldham, who added 3 further tries. Didsbury secured a league bonus point by scoring a total of four tries. The third try of the match, arguably the pick of the bunch, was finished by stand in skipper Tom Makin, who was on the end of a flowing move down the left wing. And Didsbury’s fourth try came in the last play of the match, as Murphy scrored his second try this time from a rolling maul.

Areas to work on for Didsbury, who’s backline looked very threatening at times – especially Enita Okidiko who put in another good display, this time without reward.
But credit to Oldham who deserved their victory which took them up to second in the league. Didsbury’s backline.

Next Saturday Didsbury make the short journey to Heaton Moor, as 4th plays 5th in North Lancs 1.