A LAST gasp try from Kian Morgan stole the two points for Oldham as they defeated rivals Rochdale Hornets 24-20 at the Crown Oil Arena.
Roughyeds had been second best for large parts of the game but showed tremendous character to find a victory from what looked set to be a defeat.
Hornets had been in front since Cian Tyrer’s try just before half-time and had dealt with everything that Oldham threw at them to stay in front, right until the last few moments.
It was a wounded Roughyeds side in the final stages after George Hirst had to go off for a head injury assessment, and later Gregg McNally was forced off through injury, also.
There was some off-the-cuff re-jigging as Martyn Ridyard filled in at full-back all while Oldham were trying to find the winner.
In the score that won them the game, Roughyeds were passing the ball about left and right looking for an opening.
Ridyard took control of the play and, as he did, gaps opened up as Kian Morgan spotted a gap and forced the ball over the goal-line.
It was elation for Oldham – who have been on the receiving end of several late comebacks this season – and dejection for play-off chasing Rochdale.
The performance fell short of what we have come to expect from Oldham, with Rochdale proving to be more than a match.
Roughyeds knew they wouldn’t have it their own way right from get go when Hornets scored early on after full-back Ben O’Keefe evaded several Oldham tacklers and ran forty or so metres with Lewis Else the beneficiary through a barge-over.
Rochdale were given chances thanks to Oldham’s indiscipline, but Roughyeds fought their way back in when Ridyard, in the centre of the field, lofted an inch-perfect pass out wide to Rawsthorne who powered over to level the scores.
Later, a George Hirst break-away – thanks to some quick play by Kieran Tyrer – nearly came up trumps but, despite some smart interchange passing, Joe Hartley was held up before the line – which resulted in a sin-binning for Hewitt for holding on in the tackle.
Hornets – with twelve men – dug deep but, after ten minutes of Oldham pressure, they buckled when Rawsthorne was in space to put Roughyeds in front.
Then Kian Morgan went close after collecting a perfectly-weighted Matty Wilkinson kick – who was ever-present from dummy-half – but it was Hornets who went ahead at the break.
Cian Tyrer was the beneficiary of a powerful Aaron Smith line-break through a weak Oldham defence as he ran through for a try under the sticks, just before half-time.
After the break, Oldham started sloppily again and Tommy Brierley – who Oldham released in July – collected the ball off a kick and dived over in the corner to extend their advantage.
Roughyeds fought back and their response came from Wilkinson who was the first responder as he grounded Ridyard’s deft kick under the posts.
Oldham, though, could not make any momentum and it was Rochdale who were knocking on the door.
There was some last-ditch defending but, after repeat sets, Oldham could not prevent Brierley from scoring his second when he was played in off the back of an O’Keefe dummy.
Then, Gregg McNally kicked a 40/20 to swing the momentum in Oldham’s favour and, off the back of that, Rawsthorne got his third direct from the scrum.
Ridyard could not convert, meaning Rochdale were clinging on to a two-point lead.
As the clock ticked by there were chances for both sides but, in the dying moments, Oldham found something out of nowhere and Kian Morgan – who had gone close on a few occasions – finally found his way over the try-line.
With victory, Roughyeds proved they are capable of overcoming adversity – but now it is straight back to work as the focus switches to Workington on Wednesday at Boundary Park.
Scorers:
Oldham: goals, Ridyard 2/5; tries, Rawsthorne x3, Wilkinson, Morgan
Rochdale: goals, Hewitt 2/4; tries, Else, Tyrer, Brierley x2
Teams:
OLDHAM: McNally; Rawsthorne, Carr, Morgan, Hartley; Ridyard, Tyrer; Johnson, Wilkinson, Nelmes, Hirst, Cameron, Whittel. Subs: Slater, Moran, Meadows, Newton (all used). 18th Man: Blagbrough.
ROCHDALE: O’Keefe; Nixon; Brierley; Brewin; Tyrer; Else; Hewitt; Arnold; Roden; Killan; Ratcliffe; Forster; Straugheir. Subs: Smith, Boardman, Brannan, Huish
Referee: Bradley Milligan; HT: 10-8; Pens: 4-4; Att: 1386
