Roughyeds hammer Halifax for fifth straight league win

Oldham secured a fifth straight league win with a commanding 28-12 win over Halifax Panthers at The Shay.

The run of wins is Roughyeds’ best since they lifted the title in League One in 2024 where they won their last twelve.

Oldham’s defence has been a standout strength this season, and it was on display again this afternoon as they consistently held firm, frustrating Halifax despite sustained pressure.

Oldham struck at crucial moments, just before and after half-time to give the rejuvenated Panthers – back in the league having faced liquidation earlier this season – a mountain to climb.

“I was really proud of the toughness we showed,” said boss Alan Kilshaw.

We’ve got the skill and the flair but we want to improve our toughness and I thought we did that.

It was a grind of a game, it was 6-6 for a long period and was set for set… it was tough going at times.

We knew the crowd would be behind them and their pack would be aggressive and try to get into us but we came out on the other side.”

Oldham took the lead inside the opening ten minutes and it came after Ben Davies released Tom Nisbet down the wing. Purcell provided the support and, having been played in, he powered over for a 6-0 lead.

But Roughyeds’ lead was short-lived. An Owen Farnworth knock-on allowed Halifax to draw level, with Ben Tibbs going over direct from the scrum.

After going set for set, Oldham found a way in and it was Purcell who repaid the favour to his winger, with him offloading to Nisbet to dive over.

Josh Drinkwater’s high kicks caused full-back Kian McGann problems all afternoon and it was his high-hanger that paid off when Morgan Smith pounced after the ball was spilled again, giving Oldham a two-score lead just before the break.

After the break, Jack Walker sparked into life when another high kick was spilled, opting to power over himself rather than pass, taking the score to 22–6 following Dean’s third successful conversion.

Halifax refused to go away, but their low testing kick produced the worst possible outcome for the home side. The ball dropped straight into Drinkwater’s hands, and he immediately set off. Although he didn’t have the pace to go all the way himself, Bibby was in support to finish the move, completing a length-of-the-field try to crush the Panthers.

Ben Crooks restored some pride in the final quarter, scoring Halifax’s second, but Oldham regrouped to wrap up the win.

Header image courtesy of Simon Hall