OLDHAM are half-way there as far as last-eight qualification is concerned in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup. With seven groups of three there is no margin for error, but the win against Panthers makes Sean Long’s men red-hot favourites to go through as winners of group four.
If Roughyeds beat Rochdale at BP on Sunday, February 18 they will have a two-from-two 100 per cent win record in group four and will thus be guaranteed a place In the last eight.
It was interesting to see Hornets chairman Andy Mazey at BP on Sunday, running the rule over his Rochdale side’s two opponents in group four, Halifax Panthers first and then Oldham.
The seven group leaders go through, plus the best second-placed club and unless there’s a draw and one of the groups has a three-point finisher York Knights have more or less made the ‘best of the rest’ spot their own courtesy of the 114 they piled on troubled Newcastle thunder.
In the Challenge Cup, Oldham go to Barrow Raiders in round three on Sunday, February 11 with the winners of that match travelling to Swinton Lions or West Hull in round four on Sunday, February 25
