Oldham RU end year with defeat at local rivals
Oldham RUFC ended their 2024 season with a 52-17 defeat against local rivals Littleborough, who are third in the league. Despite injuries and player unavailability, Oldham showed resilience, with Alex Jobson scoring all their points, including a notable interception try. Ross Cooper was named Man of the Match for his performance.
Littleborough Dominate Local Derby with 52-17 Victory Over Depleted Oldham
Littleborough cemented their third-place position with a commanding 52-17 victory over local rivals Oldham RUFC in their final match of 2024, capitalizing on a visitor squad ravaged by injuries and unavailability.
The hosts struck early, scoring after just five minutes when poor tackling from Oldham allowed them to break through. But the visitors responded through debutant Colin Dambanevana, who beat three defenders before offloading to captain Nick Hackman, setting up Alex Jobson for the try. Jobson’s conversion gave Oldham a surprising 10-5 lead.
That advantage proved short-lived as Littleborough seized control, crossing the line at regular intervals to build a 27-10 halftime advantage. Playing uphill on a deteriorating pitch in the second half, Oldham struggled to contain their opponents’ dangerous backline, though Jobson provided a brief spark with an interception try from his own 22-meter line.
Jobson accounted for all of Oldham’s points on the afternoon, but three late Littleborough tries inflated the final margin to 35 points. Despite the lopsided scoreline, returning veteran Ross Cooper earned man-of-the-match honors for his tenacious breakdown work and defensive leadership.
Oldham, who also handed a debut to Josh Cimmermanis, will look to rebound when they travel to Hoylake on January 4, 2025.
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