Glorious Away Day in the December Sun at Oldham RUFC

What a beautiful day for rugby! Not the usual Baltic conditions we're used to having on our trips to Oldham.

With an early dummy and sidestep around the Car Boot sale we gathered at the 1st Team Pitch, with it's cheap standing and Grandstand views both on offer.

Pre match we observed a minute silence to remember Tony Mullholland, Past President, Player and Life Member of Oldham RUFC who recently passed away and worked tirelessly for the club for many years.

There was an unusual look to the starting line up, late injury call off for our loose head prop meant our Captain Sam M was eager to step up to the front row, something he's had his eye on all season. That was until he saw the size of the Oldham front row! We're a mobile and lightweight pack and not used to scrummaging (mostly uncontested this season) let alone against the Oldham BLs. There was also a new look three-quarter line and a few positional changes giving lads a run out in unfamiliar positions.

Despite some good opening runs from our very committed Nathan K & Arran M we weren't able to break through the Oldham defence and to be fair we didn't have much early ball. We were 2 tries down in the first 10 minutes, the first was good direct running from the Oldham BL with not enough on the Toc H tackles and too much left to do so close to the line to stop him ploughing through. The second was very good play out wide for the Oldham No.12 rounding off good hands.

A bit of a wake up call for Toc H, they would have to get to grips with their tackling otherwise it would be a tough day. Our forwards must have been happy that the scrums quickly went uncontested and after 10 minutes the Oldham front row subbed off.

We took our time to get in gear, some poor handling early doors with a pop pass to player running on at pace dropped, penalty kicks to touch lacking any angle, distance or finding touch and lost mauls and lineouts. After 20 minutes though we were in the groove, a great run by Sam M, fed through Dan X to OJ was some really good rugby and resulted in a try in the corner. This was quickly followed by a penalty tap and go, Sam W feeding quickly to Dan X who set up Sam M to drive in near the posts. Both conversions missed but we were level.

Toc H took the lead with a sublime switch in play by Mikey C down the blind side feeding a long pass to Jordan O (on the stats he's the 'unknown' player, or at least unregistered Pitchero player, but we will get that sorted soon) who was motoring (or jogging), we just can't be sure!

HT 10-15

OJ, Sam M and Arran M had done their bit, scored tries, manned the front row and definitely ran the hard yards and subbed off with Leo BP, Tom R and Luke R getting their turn and quickly getting straight back into it!

Just 2 minutes in Toc H scored their fourth try as Nathan K running back on the switch drove through the defence to score. We could have had another after Leo BP made an incisive break through the middle, always mindful to reward the support he passed when he could have scored himself but the support dropped it, that player (no names) making up for his error with a great kick and chase resulting in a scrum close to the Oldham line. Feeding down the line Jordan O stood up his man and ran in to score Toc H fifth try.

We were highly committed in defence too, Leo BP tackled and jackled the ball for a break, Sam B breaking off at blind side tackling well at a scrum under our posts.

Leo BP had a second go at being generous and breaking up the midfield this time slowed and awaited the arrival of Sam 'Safe Hands' W who gladly received the pass to score Didsbury's sixth try and then went on to convert his effort. Leo BP was soon at it again this time breaking round the outside to score near the touchline for Didsbury's seventh.

Didsbury's final try came from an excellent pass from Arran M, back on and playing centre he definitely picked the right option to release Mikey C who simply had too much gas and determination to get over for his try.

FT 10-46

All in all an excellent day for the lads, they all grew into the game, adapted well to new positions and found a way over the early disappointing tackling effort and early Oldham scores. Still quite a bit to work on, our attacking line up was at times deeper than a Barry White song, our handling less than precise and we need to be on it from the whistle, against stronger teams we can't afford to be slow starters! Sale Scorpions up next.

Not too bad a day for the parents too (Martin H excepted - everyone hopes you get well soon), amongst the tat Bryan even managed to pick up a couple of bargain DVDs at the car boot, bonus!

Coach's Notes;

Very pleased with today. The boys responded well to the switch up and did exactly as asked which was to ensure that their didn't stand in the shadows of others but took individual responsibility for taking the game to the opposition.

Against a big, physical side there were plenty of challenges including responding to going two scores behind early. So many good carries and tackles and some excellent passing in amongst the dropped balls!

I hope the boys enjoyed it as much as we did.