OLDHAM Rugby League Club beat North Wales Crusaders 46-30 at the Vestacare Stadium on Sunday, but lots of fans thought the real winners were children who took on various match-day roles as part of a club community initiative.

Children were invited to take part in Junior Take-Over Day and many of them got the jobs they wanted.

They include nine-year-old Orlaith MacCafferty from St Anne’s RC Primary, who became chairman for the day and took charge of the entire operation under the guidance of the real boss, Chris Hamilton.

Jessica Davies, aged nine and 11-year-old Lucy Highfield, both of Tameside, shared duties as public address announcers.

Seven-year-old Evie Wood from Higher Failsworth Primary School and Bailey Howell, aged 14, of Co-op Academy, Failsworth, who wore official bibs and took up touchline roles as club photographers under the watchful eyes of David Murgatroyd and David Naylor.

Oldham’s kit managers for the day were 10-year-old Stanley Simpson of Friezland Primary and Harvey Hall, eight, of Oasis Academy in Limeside.

Amelie Betts, an 11-year-old pupil at Friezland Primary and Theo Black, aged nine, from Widnes, were ground safety officers, operating under the control of the real safety man, Phil Black.

Jasmine Tierney, aged seven, of St Margaret’s CE Primary, took on her dad’s job as programme seller – and for the first time this season sold out.

Each of the children was escorted by his or her senior equivalent and each was invited into the boardroom after the game to receive a certificate and to have a picture taken with man-of-the- match Ritchie Hawkyard and the Magic Moment winner Lee Kershaw.

Before the match, and in her dual role as sponsors’ suite host, Orlaith interviewed the real chairman Chris Hamilton and the head coach Scott Naylor.

Describing Junior Take-Over Day as a ‘resounding success’, Hamilton said he couldn’t praise Orlaith enough for taking on the role of chairman.

“It’s seriously daunting for a nine-year-old to speak in public, but she was a little gem,” he said.

He added: “All the children did wonderfully well and I can’t thank them enough.

“Well done all of you. You were terrific.

“It’s been a fabulous time for all concerned and I hope the children will remember this day for a long time, as we certainly will.”