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Hornets edge derby thriller

Mike Floyd
19/ 8/2002

HORNETS claimed the points in their all-important derby clash with Oldham which ended 18-17 at Spotland.

Derbies between the two sides are always crunch games and here it was no different with the home side looking to finish third and the visitors needing the points in their search for a top-nine play-off spot.

The game opened at a fierce pace and after 10 minutes Casey Mayberry crossed for Hornets.

Oldham levelled three minutes later as Jon Goddard sliced through the home defence.

Hornets bounced back and hooker Richard Pachniuk restored their lead and Warren Ayres converted.

Oldham picked up the pace and tries from Lee Doran and Gareth Barber, together with a conversion and drop goal from the latter, gave the visitors a lead of 17-10 at half time.

After the interval, Hornets needed an early try, and Paul Smith duly obliged as he shot through a gap in the 44th minute.

Ayres converted to put his side within one point of Oldham.

Danny Wood slotted over a 62nd-minute penalty to give the home side the lead, and it was a lead they did not surrender as both sides cancelled each other out for the remainder of the game.