ROUGHYEDS returned to Boundary Park with a bang, thanks to a convincing 40-24 victory over Workington Town on Wedneaday night.
Oldham, who had several bodies back, were always in control and minimised the threats of a big, commanding Workington team in Roughyeds’ first match at the stadium in 14 years.
Jordan Paga, who has been suspended since June, scored a try on his return to the side at full-back – in place of the injured Gregg McNally – and was awarded Man of the Match after causing the Town defence a number of problems.
Roughyeds struggled on Sunday against rivals Rochdale Hornets, but this was a much-improved Oldham whose forwards bossed the game.
Kian Morgan started where he left off at the Crown Oil, after some smart play allowed him to score a walk-through try on the left in front of 1238 spectators – a magnificent effort for a Wednesday night.
Minutes later, Oldham were in again through Luke Nelmes who used all his strength as he over-powered the Workington defenders to force his way over for a try.
Workington fought back, helped by a penalty awarded in their favour, and Ethan Bickerdicke was the beneficiary as he scored in the corner.
Town were enjoying a purple patch, forcing several back-to-back drop-outs. Oldham to their credit stood firm, but eventually buckled when Joe Kirkup grounded to level the scorers.
But Workington weren’t level for long, and it was the effervescent Jordan Paga who found a way to break free of the Town defenders to score.
Rawsthorne, who has been given a new lease of life since signing from Halifax in June, got Oldham’s fourth after they overloaded men on the right edge.
Immediately after the resumption of the second half, Roughyeds were in again with Ah Van scoring in the corner from a scrum after Workington couldn’t hold onto Ridyard’s kick as the game resumed.
Then there was some great work by George Hirst – who was wearing a head bandage after a knock against Rochdale – when he broke through the line and offloaded to Meadows who made considerable metres to put Roughyeds within touching distance of scoring again.
On the next play, Kieran Tyrer spotted a gap and dived over as Oldham extended their lead.
Roughyeds kept building pressure thanks to the kicks of Ridyard, as well as good defensive work by Connor Carr – and off the back of it Rawsthorne scored his second in the corner.
The remaining 20 minutes were scrappy with two Workington consolation tries through Blaine Marwood and Luke Charlton.
There was indiscipline from both sides with Josh Johnson sin-binned for a late hit off the ball, as well as two for Workington late on, which were unrelated.
It was a crucial win over play-off rivals Town, who were snapping at Roughyeds’ heels in fifth.
Oldham will be back at Boundary Park very soon when the play-offs commence – with details of the fixture to be confirmed in due course.
For now, the focus switches to Midlands on Sunday for what will be the club’s last at the Vestacare Stadium.
Scorers:
Oldham: goals, Ridyard 6/7; tries, Morgan, Nelmes, Paga, Rawsthorne x2, Ah Van, Tyrer
Workington: goals, Walker 4/4; tries, Bickerdike, Kirkup, Marwood, Charlton
Teams:
OLDHAM: Paga; Rawsthorne, Carr, Morgan, Ah Van; Ridyard, Tyrer; Nelmes, Wilkinson, Johnson, Hirst, Baker, Whittel. Subs: Slater, Wilson, Meadows, Moran (all used). 18th Man: Cameron
WORKINGTON: Burns; Bickerdike, Mossop, Sabutey, Burns; Walker, Forber; Scholey, Henson, Thomson, Bradley, Steele, Dawson. Subs: Charlton, Kirkup, Marwood, Stephenson (all used). 18th Man: Mallinson
Referee: Ryan Cox; HT: 22-12; Pens: 4-5; Att: 1283
