BATTLING Oldham progressed to the fourth round of the Challenge Cup, as they edged past Barrow Raiders, thanks to a strong second-half showing.
There was not much to separate the two sides in what was a scrappy, and stop-start, first half with 12 penalties conceded.
It was a sloppy start by Oldham and two back to back penalties allowed Ryan Shaw a kick at goal, to make the score 2-0.
Oldham could have been in front on eight minutes had Jordan Turner, who broke the line, opted to pass to his right, rather than left when Jack Johnson was tackled.
More Roughyeds indisicpline followed and Barrow, in good territory, put a high hanging kick towards the posts which was pounced on by James Greenwood to score after Oldham failed to deal with the danger.
Ben O’Keefe responded, shortly after, when he pounced on a deft Jamie Ellis grubber to the line.
Barrow then kicked another goal, after being awarded another penalty due to an illegal ball steal.
But that was as good as it got as Oldham cut out the errors in the second forty to get the better of a physically tired and wounded Barrow Raiders side.
Oldham’s middles were making more metres and an incorrect Barrow play-the-ball – which caught Oldham out eight times last week – was enough of an invite for Sean Long’s men.
Facing the Barrow goal-line and from dummy half, Matty Wildie pounced to catch the markers off guard, as he dived for a try under the posts.
The momentum was with Oldham and, after forcing a goal-line drop-out, Adam Lawton bulldozed his way over McMillan to power his way over the line.
Barrow fought back and should have been in after Tom Wilkinson broke the line, but Johnston didn’t read the pass and Oldham scrambled the ball back.
But, before Barrow could make the final ten minutes awkward for Oldham, an Adam Lawton ball steal swung the pendulum back in Roughyeds’ favour.
O’Keefe was alert as he plucked a desolate and wild Barrow pass out of the air to run 30 metres to score under the posts and secure the win for Oldham.
The game ended in ugly fashion with O’Keefe – who had blood gushing from his face – and Johnston sent off after the hooter had gone after a fracas.
It was another important, and impressive, victory for Oldham who had to battle hard against a strong Barrow side on a bobbly surface.
Oldham now travel to the winners of the Swinton v West Hull tie.
Scorers:
Oldham: goals, Ellis 3/4; tries, O’Keefe x2, Wildie, Lawton.
Barrow: goals, Shaw 3/3; tries, Greenwood
Teams:
OLDHAM: Astley; Agoro, O’Keefe, Turner, Johnson; Craven, Ellis; Kopczak, Wildie, Chapelhow, Lawton, Wardle, Taylor. Subs: Aldridge, Moran, T.Chapelhow, Farnworth (all used). 18th Man: Paga
BARROW: Cresswell; Shaw, Costello, Carter, Broadbent; Jackson, Johnston; Burke, Wood, Silva, Greenwood, Emslie, Wilkinson. Subs: Smith, Makin, McMillan, Ogunwole (all used). 18th Man: Bedward
Referee: Marcus Griffiths; HT: 10-4; Pens: 8-7; Att: 1401
