Woolston Rovers 36

Oldham St. Annes 22

EDDIE Harris maintained his unbeaten record of coaching Woolston Rovers' National Conference team.

But he is thankful the players left the field with bones intact.

After Saturday's win Harris said: "I minded the team against Saddleworth two years ago. Two lads broke their legs that day so I am glad there has been no repeat. It's two games and two wins for me."

Ex-back rower Harris was in charge as Dave Elliott was away for a wedding and he will be frustrated at having missed such an impressive Woolston display - except for a 10-minute blip!

That came in the second half when a Woolston were in control 28-8. Then substitute Mark Pendleton was sin-binned and Oldham hit back with three tries in seven minutes to reduce the arrears to just six points.

At that point experienced half back and skipper Graham Smith calmed his troops down with two cool drop goals.

The stand off then had to shoot across field to pull off a superb and crucial try-saving tackle on Oldham's Paul Kay. Woolston were safe after that and ironically winger Mark Cosgrove finished off a 70-metre gallop by centre Paul Fiddler.

Cosgrove was the star of the show with his pacy running.

Woolston had been under the cosh for the opening 12 minutes but out of nothing Cosgrove shot off from acting half back, left numerous challengers in his wake and beat the full back with a pass which put hooker Drew Povey over for the opening try. Scrum half Steve Martin kicked his first of seven goals from seven attempts for a 6-2 lead.

Two Martin penalties came before St. Annes replied with a Patrick Mitchell touch down and a penalty from Chris Wright.

Cosgrove set the game alight again when he picked up a wild Oldham pass off the ground and scooted 65m to touch down.

Hard working back rower Jon Cole beefed his way past two players in a touchline run and put winger Mark Roughneen over with a delightful off-load for a 22-8 half-time advantage.

Cosgrove set up Woolston's bizarre opening second half try. On a last tackle he attempted a chip kick but miscued. He ended up then back-flipping the ball over the defence, scooping up the ball, releasing Martin who found Tim Iddon in support to complete the try.

Oldham then began their fightback which turned out to be not quite enough.

Rovers: James Bell; Mark Roughneen, Paul Fiddler, Tim Iddon, Mark Cosgrove; Graham Smith, Steve Martin; Mark Shephard, Drew Povey, Graham Muckalt, Neil Smith, Jon Cole, James Brabin. Subs: Mark Pendleton, Paul Hodgkinson, David Hudd, Daniel Heaton.

Tomorrow, Saturday, Rovers travel to Skirlaugh. Supporters wishing to travel can meet the team bus at Bennett's Rec for a 10.15am departure.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.