Panthers run promotion favourites close.

Martin Crompton is earning a reputation as a no nonsense coach as he continues his re-building at Blackpool Panthers. Following a dreadful performance at home to York a week ago, more players were invited to leave by the exit door and the team fielded by Crompton for Mondays daunting looking trip to promotion favourites Oldham contained only three of last years squad.

Debuts were given to Sean Weed on loan from St Helens and Dave Llewelyn signed from amateur club Black brook. The early signs were not good after 13 minutes the Panthers trailed by 16 points after three early tries by Oldham. The first coming after the Panthers were harshly penalised for offside as Oldham knocked on. Hooker Hoyle took full advantage to score a try from the restart converted by Nanyn. Winger St Hillaire cleverly gathered a telling kick to score an unconverted try in the corner.

When Roberts scored a converted try shortly afterwards the 1115 crowd sat back to wait for the floodgates to open.

These 2008 Panthers however are made of much sterner stuff and after 20 minutes scrum half Paul Ashton who was excellent throughout cleverly kicked through on the final tackle for Llewelyn to gather unopposed to score under the posts. Leather added the extra’s. Within six minutes the Panthers brought the crowd to their feet with the try of the game. The ever impressive Craig Tunstead broke through from his own half to feed winger John Gillam who raced towards the line. Although the desperate tacklers caught him close to the line, he used his height to full advantage to off load to the waiting Damien Munro to score under the posts. Leather easily added his second conversion to reduce the arrears to 16-12. The game was then even until after 38 minutes scrum half Coyle dashed over near the posts for a converted try. And as the half time siren sounded St Hillaire scored in the corner to give Oldham a flattering 26-12 interval lead.

The Panthers started the second half strongly and after 46 minutes sustained pressure saw Damien Munro scored an unconverted try in the corner to reduce the arrears to 26-16. Oldham replied with a try by O’Connor converted by Nanyn to increase the lead to 32-16. Straight from the resulting kick off, Oldham dropped the ball and with Oldham appealing for a knock on against themselves. John Gillam calmed romped over to reduce the arrears to 32-20.

Winger Onyinjo appeared to put even a bonus point out of reach with a converted try to make the score 38-20.

There was still sufficient time for the Panthers to gain the deserved bonus point when Damien Munro completed his hat trick with a try in the corner. Matt Ashe converted magnificently from the touchline.

The Panthers continue to improve and now have a week off before visiting Hunslet in 13 days time.

Panthers Team
Leather, Gillam, Llewelyn, Weed, Munro, Ashe, Ashton, Wariner Clough, Jones, Anderson, Ratcliffe, Duell. Subs (All used) Tunstead, Kaye, Wallace (M), Wallace (A).

Referee - D. Merrick.

Man of the Match - Damien Munro

Attendance - 1115

Penalty Count - 12-7