Oldham - Orrell Match Report

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Oldham welcomed a high-flying Orrell side to Manor Park for their final home game of the season, looking to respond after losing their 100% home record in their previous outing. It was always set to be a tough test against an Orrell team unbeaten since the league reshuffle.

The opening exchanges were evenly contested, with both sides probing defensively. Oldham’s early efforts were led by Josh Semple, Sean Carter, Isaac Dobbs and Phil Conroy, while Paul Wardle, Rueben Moss and Andrew Birch carried strongly in direct phases. Despite the solid start, it was Orrell who struck first, capitalising on a line break with excellent support play and quick hands to cross for the opening try. The conversion was straightforward.

Oldham responded well, building pressure through powerful carries from Dobbs, Semple and Tom Jowle. Half-back’s Lewis Ward and Jordan McEwan began to dictate play, linking effectively with captain Tom Davies and Alex Jobson to move the hosts deep into the Orrell 22. The pressure paid off when Oldham were awarded a penalty for a breakdown infringement, and Jobson confidently slotted the kick despite a strong wind.

Both sides continued to trade blows in a tight contest. Orrell mixed direct running with offloading, but Oldham’s defensive structure held firm. Fullback Louis Fitton organised well at the back, while wingers Conroy and Reece Blakeley showed great discipline and work rate out wide.

A turning point came when Jobson produced a moment of brilliance. Shutting down an Orrell attack, he forced an error, chipped ahead, regathered, and rounded the fullback to score under the posts. He added the conversion to give Oldham the lead.

Orrell responded strongly, showing why they have been in such impressive form. Sustained pressure and fluid attacking play eventually led to a well-worked try, with the conversion narrowly successful after striking the post.

Half-time: Oldham 10-14 Orrell.

The message from Coach Jim Forster at the break was to remain patient and continue building phases. However, the opening 20 minutes of the second half saw Orrell take control. Dominating possession and territory, they added two unanswered tries, both converted, to extend their lead. Oldham were also dealt a blow with the injury to Fitton, replaced by Jenson Connell.

In need of a response, Oldham found momentum. Strong carries from Marshall Yates, Moss and Semple laid a solid platform, allowing Ward and McEwan to move the ball wide. A long pass from Davies found Connell, who drove forward before releasing Blakeley to finish well in the corner. The conversion attempt drifted wide.

Oldham continued to build pressure, particularly at scrum time where Wardle, Yates, Moss and Rhys Jones provided a dominant platform. Sustained attacking phases forced another penalty, which Jobson converted to narrow the gap.

Defensively, Oldham showed real resilience as Orrell looked to close the game out. Big tackles from Harvey Ward, Lewis Ward, Wardle, Dobbs and Blakeley kept the visitors at bay and gave the hosts a chance to push for a late comeback.

With time running out, Oldham worked their way deep into the Orrell 22. After being awarded a penalty, quick hands from left to right created space for Conroy to finish well out wide. With little time remaining, Jobson’s drop-kick conversion narrowly missed but ensured a restart.

From the restart, a superb take from Wardle kept Oldham’s hopes alive. Quick phases, led by Lewis Ward, set the platform before McEwan spread the ball wide. Blakeley was released down the left and looked certain to score, but a last-ditch tackle from the Orrell fullback denied him. Unfortunately for Oldham, a contentious decision at the breakdown resulted in a penalty to Orrell, ending the game.

Final Score: Oldham 23-28 Orrell

Despite the result, this was a much-improved performance from the previous outing against Ashton. Oldham now turn their attention to a crucial league and cup semi-final double-header away at Burnley on the 25th April..

There were strong performances across the park, particularly from Jobson, Semple, Dobbs and Carter. However, the Man of the Match award deservedly went to Lewis Ward for an outstanding all-round display, combining excellent positional play, game management, kick returns and defensive effort.

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