Oldham 26 Lancashire Lynx 52

LANCASHIRE Lynx finally moved away from next to bottom after easily defeating fellow strugglers Oldham at Spotland.

Lynx were always in control of the game after three tries in the opening 12 minutes and only a late rally by Oldham gave the score a respectable look.

After the game Lynx coach Steve Hampson was obviously delighted he said: "I feel that this is reward for our recent excellent performances, despite the poor opposition we controlled the game well and fully deserved the score line.

"The only downside was the fact that we fell off the pace in the last 10 minutes which allowed them to have their best spell of the game and score two late tries."

He also had praise for young full back Paul Roberts and said: "He is certainly one for the future. He has tremendous pace and was outstanding all afternoon along with Doc Murray and Neil Alexander."

Lynx controlled the game from the first whistle and three tries in the opening 12 minutes from Neil Alexander, Neil Parsley and Dave Murray with two conversions from Paul Roberts, put them 16 points ahead.

Leeds and St Helens both confirmed their places in the Super League play-offs as Gateshead Thunder were left to contemplate what might have been.

And Bradford put 52 points past Sheffield Eagles for the second time this season to remain five points clear of their rivals with three rounds of the regular season left.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.