Roughyeds end 24-year wait for second-tier play-off win

Roughyeds delivered a big knockout victory over Midlands Hurricanes to book an away clash with Widnes Vikings next weekend.

The win is Oldham’s first in a second-tier play-off tie in 24 years, with Alan Kilshaw’s men now just two victories away from the Championship Grand Final.

With their season on the line, the Roughyeds delivered when it mattered to put right the wrongs of last week, when Widnes snatched a narrow 30-24 victory.

Knowing they have the firepower to score points, a huge emphasis was placed on defence in the build-up to the game at Netpar Training Centre – and it paid off, with Midlands only producing fleeting moments of class.

Oldham had the Hurricanes under pressure from the outset, with the visitors kicking from well inside their own half after each of their opening two sets.

They were helped by some early indiscipline from Midlands, presenting Morgan Smith with the chance to kick for goal, which he duly converted for a 2-0 lead.

The Hurricanes could not clean up their act and Oldham maintained their stranglehold, with Ted Chapelhow crashing over from close range to open the scoring.

The big prop did not have to wait long for his second, strolling through a huge gap as Midlands' defence parted to allow him in.

The Hurricanes hit back immediately when, amid the dazzling sunshine, Oldham allowed the restart to bounce out of play. In the resulting set, Midlands shifted the ball to the right and Aidan McGowan touched down.

Roughyeds responded with some resolute defence to prevent back-to-back scores, before a huge hit from Jake Bibby forced a knock-on and put Oldham back in control.

The Roughyeds then turned defence into attack, moving the ball left as Bibby crossed in the corner to cap a fine passage of play.

A Midlands error at the play-the-ball, just ten metres from their own line, presented Oldham with another opportunity and Jack Walker punished them with a try direct from the scrum.

On the stroke of half-time, Josh Drinkwater darted through a gap he had created for himself to score what could be his final try at Boundary Park after deciding to move on at the end of the season.

It was a near-perfect opening 40 minutes from the Roughyeds, who understandably were not quite as explosive after the break. There was no need to win the game twice.

Fresh in the mind, though, would have been Midlands' remarkable comeback from 24-0 down when the sides met in the 1895 Cup, and Oldham were fully aware of the dangers the Hurricanes possessed.

McGowan broke free of Walker to score early in the second half, but there was to be no repeat of that incredible comeback.

Oldham soon stamped their authority back on proceedings, with Morgan Smith nailing a 40/20. Off the back of the sublime kick, Adam Milner crashed over to cancel out Midlands' earlier score.

The Hurricanes grabbed a third through Ross Oakes on the hour mark, but it was Oldham who would have the final say.

After a neat break from Matty Wildie, Morgan Smith was sent clear and raced under the posts to wrap up a big knockout victory and book a trip to Widnes.