Drop goal the difference (From Warrington Guardian)

Drop goal the difference

Rylands 17

Oldham St Annes 16

RYLANDS exchanged places with Oldham St Annes at the top of North West Counties Amateur Rugby League Division One after a thrilling 17-16 victory thanks to a last-minute drop goal from Peter Leonard.

Oldham started the stronger with a penalty and an unconverted try but Rylands responded with a Danny Hoyland try from Leonard's kick.

Minutes later another kick caused confusion and Ian Ward gathered the ball and fed the supporting Leonard, who crossed between the posts.

But Oldham enjoyed a good start to the second half and raced in for a try to lead 12-10.

Johnny Walker was having a tremendous game in the centres for Rylands and it was from one of his breaks that the hosts edged back into the lead, with Tony Berry giving the final pass to the supporting Leonard, who touched down by the posts and converted to give Rylands a four-point advantage.

A heavy penalty count against Rylands put them under pressure and Oldham took advantage by kicking two goals to tie the scores at 16-16.

With only moments left it looked like the points would be shared until a superb offload from Darren Shaw on the halfway line fed Jeff Robinson, who was tackled just short of the try line.

The ball was played quickly and reached Leonard, who knocked over the one-pointer and sent the large Gorsey Lane crowd into raptures.