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County woe for off-colour Wins

18/12/2001

RU: Oldham 12 Aldwinians 10

Lancashire Trophy holders Aldwinians were dumped unceremoniously out of this year's competition after failing to overcome a battling, fully committed Oldham side.

Opening brightly, Aldwinians stormed ito attack and were unfortunate not to score following two surging runs from centre Mark Woodward.

Giving away penalties restricted further progress, a feature which was to return to haunt the Audenshaw side in the second period.

Oldham forced their way back into the game - missing a penalty - and were unlucky not to score in the corner with a super John Hampson tackle saving the day for the visitors.

Aldwinians were the first on the scoreboard with a try from halfway, Paul Thorpe and Andy Gidman set up a break on the right for Russell Thompson to provide the inside scoring pass for winger Hampson.

Again Oldham hit back, setting up a long period of pressure, bustling and beavering away before they reduced the arrears with a penalty goal on half time.

In a more fluent start to the second half, excellent line licking from Mike Jackson put the pressure on Oldham who were forced back without a score.

Another Oldham penalty hit the post before two successful efforts at penalties took them into a 9-5 lead with 20 minutes remaining.

A huge forward drive up the left set up the second Aldwinians try - Rob Palmer being the man driven over to snatch a 10-9 lead.

However, Oldham's spirit drove them on and on. They were finally rewarded with the latest of the penalty goals to take the tie 12-10, a result which brought scenes of great joy.