Farnworth seals dramatic golden point victory

Owen Farnworth secured Oldham’s place in the Preliminary Final with a dramatic golden-point try as Roughyeds edged out Widnes 20-16.

Having dominated for large periods, Oldham saw their 14-0 lead wiped out as the Vikings fought back to take a two-point advantage after the hour mark.

With the clock ticking down and time running out for Roughyeds, Widnes conceded a penalty with just five minutes remaining, allowing Morgan Smith to level the scores as the momentum began to swing back in Oldham’s favour.

Even after Danny Richardson kicked out on the full from the restart, Oldham could not find the killer blow, sending the game into golden point.

Nobody could have predicted what followed.

Josh Drinkwater’s kick-off was allowed to bounce twice before swinging back into the grasp of Nisbet. From there, all hell broke loose as Brad Day worked the ball to Adam Milner, who sent former Widnes man Farnworth away for the winner and one of Oldham’s most dramatic victories in recent memory.

Widnes had got the better of Oldham in the first round of the play-offs, but Roughyeds' higher league position and the Vikings’ defeat by Newcastle meant the sides would meet again, with no second chances this time.

Oldham’s ferocious defence, coupled with their aggressive line speed, largely nullified the Vikings as Roughyeds scored three tries without reply.

Jake Bibby opened the scoring after a perfectly timed looping pass from Drinkwater sent him over in the corner.

Smith added a penalty to make it 8-0 at half-time before Ben Davies’ powerful carry resulted in a try shortly after the restart, leaving Oldham seemingly in control. Another Smith penalty goal made it a three-score game.

But knowing their season would be over without a response, a fired-up Widnes fought back.

Gaps began to emerge in the Roughyeds defence as the Vikings started to punch holes through the middle and out wide.

Mike Butt got the first after a slick shift to the edge, before Bradford-bound Nathan Connell broke through to bring Widnes back within touching distance.

Matters were made worse moments later when Ryan Ince stretched out to score in the opposite corner, suddenly putting the Vikings in front.

Oldham responded with wave after wave of pressure in the closing stages, eventually forcing the penalty which allowed Smith to level the scores and take the game into golden point.

And then came the unbelievable finish, with Farnworth’s try booking Oldham a trip to the capital, where victory would secure a place in the Championship Grand Final.