Taken from an old programme : Back-Track : by Grant Bargh
OLDHAM - THE ATHLETIC GROUNDS - THE FINAL ENCOUNTER
Good Friday April 1st 1988
HORNETS 6 OLDHAM 58
If Hornets had a choice of who their opponents would have been for their final match on the Athletic Grounds, I am sure the men from Watersheddings would have been their "Number One" choice. As it was fate decided that Hornets' last opponents on the ground they had occupied for over 90 years were their great rivals, who had made many an appearance on that historic venue. None more so than on 12th April 1924 when as Challenge Cup Finalists Oldham played Wigan attracting 41,831 to the Athletic Grounds.
As for the match itself It was a case of "no contest" as Oldham coached by Eric Fitzsimmons inflicted on Hornets, ironically, their heaviest home defeat in their history. Oldham were yards faster as they tore shreds In the Hornets' defence time after time. Oldham took the lead after four minutes - Foy spinning in for a try. Casey Soon crossed to give Oldham a l0-0 lead. Whatever hope Hornets had of getting back into the game disappeared in the 18th minute when hooker Andy Ruane was sent off for a high tackle. Following this full back Mark Sanderson went off injured and Hornets were in complete disarray and further tries from Foy, Atkinson, and Ford gave Oldham a 24-0 lead at the interval.
It was all one-way traffic in the second half. Graham was lucky to stay on the field after a high tackle on Aaron Sawyer (it looked equally as bad as Ruane's). Then the one bright moment for Hornets as Sawyer scared the last touch down by a Hornets' player -on the Athletic Grounds, after a fine pass by Neil Cowie. Oldham soon emphasised their superior pace as Foy completed his hat--trick, followed by tries by Ford and Walsh. Hornets seemed then to give up the ghost, Atkinson and Walsh soon crossed the line and substitute Irving had the significance of scoring the final try on the athletic Grounds.
In more ways than one this was a sad day for Hornets' followers, but no one could take away the facts that on the day it was Oldham who had all the class.
HORNETS: Sanderson, Diamond, McGinty, Vaafusu, Stokes, Sawyer, Hitchen, Byron, Ruane, Cowie, Nanyn, Idle and Williams: Subs used Marriott and Barrow.
SCORERS: TRY - Sawyer : GOAL - Hitchen
OLDHAM: Burke, Atkinson, Foy, McAllister, Meadows, Walsh, Ford, Sharrett, Sanderson, Waddell, Casey. Graham and Warneke: Subs used Irving and Hawkyard.
SCORERS: Tries - Foy 3, Ford 2, Walsh 2, Casey, Atkinson, Graham, Irving : GOALS - Atkinson 6, Walsh
Referee : Mr. D. Drinkwater (Warrington) : Attendance 3,260
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