Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two

Mossley Hill 0

Oswestry 26

A CONVINCING victory for Oswestry over Mossley Hill moved them to within three points of second-placed Vagabonds Isle of Man with a game in hand.

The Eagles scored 26 points without reply against the Liverpool side sat seventh in the table.

Kick-off was delayed for nearly an hour due to a problem getting a substitute referee but play finally got underway.

A bright start for Oswestry saw the visitors winning the opening scrums and getting the better of their opponents in the lineouts.

The Oswestry team defended well after conceding several penalties, with the locals unable to break the line.

After 14 minutes Oswestry were on the locals try line and were awarded a five-metre scrum.

The dominance of the Oswestry pack shone through and were able to push the locals back over their line, giving Jonathan Hughes the opportunity to get the first of four tries.

Several minutes later Oswestry were on the attack again and were back in the home team’s half.

Kele Raturoko gave an up and under kick that saw Salvatore Domingo and Fletcher Owen-Youens run on to that which produced an Oswestry penalty.

Nikola Nikolov found a good position for an Oswestry line out. Youens got the ball and together with Aaron Lindsay was able to drive through deep into the home side’s 22.

The ball eventually found Raturoko whose pace and strength took him through three tackles to score the second Oswestry try.

Matthew Bithell kicked the conversion and the visitors extended their lead to 12 points.

Oswestry continued to show off some of their best rugby when they returned to the pitch after half-time.

A third try was scored 14 minutes after the break when Raturoko found Nikolov who burst through the back line and dotted down.

Bithell’s conversion extended their lead to 19-0.

Oswestry once again repelled any attack the locals could muster and with their power in the pack, were able to return to the home team’s half and earn a penalty of their own.

Nickolov took a quick penalty catching the locals off guard and was rewarded with another try and this time a bonus point.

Bithell, who was having a good day with the boot, converted pushing the score to 26 points.

The side held onto the lead without conceding any points, despite losing a player to a yellow card in the final few minutes of the game.

Oswestry firsts have no game this week, but Oswestry Seconds are at home to face Oldershaw.