FOUR tries from centre Connor Carr helped Oldham get back to winning ways as they brushed aside Cornwall to win 56-4.
Cornwall simply could not handle Carr’s blistering pace, as well as his knack for producing strong ball carries.
Roughyeds, in attack, were easy on the eye and Cornwall struggled with their quick, deceptive plays as they ran in 11 tries – ten of which were unanswered.
Deane Meadows, on his 50th career appearance, put in some strong carries and provided a good platform for Oldham’s flair players.
One thing that has been lacking across the season has been a rounded, 80 minute performance, but today was the closest Oldham have come.
Barring a few momentary blips, Roughyeds were always in control as they sent out a message that they are still a force to be reckoned with in the play-off race, despite three losses to sides above them.
It took four minutes for the first score of the game and it came through Connor Carr who collected a nicely-weighted Gregg McNally kick, as he dived over in the corner.
Cornwall got a quick response, aided by a loose Oldham carry coming out of their own line, and as they shifted the ball right, George Mitchell was in space to draw the scores level in the corner.
The Penryn-based side had to re-jig their 13 after star-player Cameron Brown failed a late fitness test, and they struggled to gain any sustained pressure after that score.
Roughyeds were handed a chance when makeshift half Jake Lloyd, once of Leigh Miners Rangers, knocked on from Martyn Ridyard’s restart kick.
Oldham did not pass on the opportunity and, immediately from the scrum, Joe Hartley was found in space as he dived over.
Off the back of a strong Meadows carry – and some Cornwall indiscipline after they conceded a penalty for a high shot – Callum Cameron scored a try as he spun round to evade the Cornwall tacklers to ground the ball.
Next up, it was Carr who got his second, after some great interchange play between McNally and Ridyard created huge gaps on the wing.
Oldham were unrelenting, and Kian Morgan was next on the scoresheet after a strong Meadows carry – as well as some easy on the eye deceptive plays – allowed Morgan to run in unopposed to make it 24-4.
After standing firm, having defended a full set on their own line, Oldham found another score just before half-time as George Hirst powered his way over. When play resumed for the second half, Oldham picked up where they left off and Nick Rawsthorne was next to score when he was found in space on the right.
Whenever Oldham went forward they looked likely to score, and this time it was hooker Sean Slater – who always causes problems coming off the bench – who sneaked in from dummy-half as he stretched out an arm to ground the ball over the line.
Minutes later and they were in again after some quick passing set Rawsthorne away on the wing and loanee Kieran Tyrer finished off a great team move.
Oldham wanted more, and they went close on numerous occasions through Morgan, Hartley and Ah Van, before Carr got his hat-trick.
Direct from the scrum, Ridyard found Carr in acres of space and he powered his way over.
He wasn’t satisfied with just three, though, and moments later he got his fourth – and it was that pace that meant nobody could get even a fingertip on him as he topped off a brilliant win with the try.
Despite some changes off the field, after Stuart Littler was let go from the head coaching duties, it was business as usual on the field as Roughyeds now charge towards the play-offs.
Scorers:
Oldham: goals, Ridyard 6/11; tries, Carr x4, Hartley, Cameron, Morgan, Hirst, Rawsthorne, Slater, Tyrer
Cornwall: goals, Punchard 0/1; tries, Mitchell
Teams: OLDHAM: McNally; Rawsthorne, Carr, Morgan, Hartley; Ridyard, Tyrer; Meadows, Wilkinson, Johnson, Hirst, Cameron, Whittel. Subs: Slater, Ah Van, Blagbrough, Moran (all used). 18th Man: Newton.
CORNWALL: Whitton; Mitchell, Croston, Nichol, Scurr; Lloyd, Punchard; Newbound, Collins, Badham, Cullen, Weetman, Dimech. Subs: Barraclough, Trerise, Abbott, Badham (all used). 18th Man: Boots.
Referee: Aaron Belafonte; HT: 4-32; Pens: 3-8.
