Oldham hold on for win over Halifax

Oldham survived a scare to win 23-20 on the road against playoff rivals Halifax at Bradford’s Odsal Stadium.

Tries from Ben Davies, Mathieu Pons, Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e and Owen Farnworth plus a Danny Craven drop goal saw Sean Long’s men home, as Oldham bounced back from last week’s defeat in Toulouse to consolidate their position in the top four.

“It’s was a nail-biter,” head coach Sean Long told Roughyeds TV.

I didn’t think it was going to be pretty, but we are happy with the two points”.

Long had Elijah Taylor and Ben O’Keefe back from injury but fell behind when Owen McCarron ran in the Panthers’ opener after Oldham had been penalised for offside.

A swift response though saw Josh Drinkwater’s restart find touch, and the resulting set from the drop-out saw Drinkwater put a cross-field kick on a plate for Davies to continue his fine run of scoring form.

The Roughyeds found their first lead when French winger Pons pounced on a loose ball in the left corner, Drinkwater converting having missed the first.

And Oldham added a further point right on the half-time footer when Danny Craven floated over a long-range drop goal for an 11-6 lead.

Oldham looked to have put the game to bed right at the start of the second half when the lively Pelissier broke from deep to send PLT under the posts for an electric try.

But back came the Panthers, winger Ben Tibbs touching down a loose ball that Oldham thought had been knocked-on, the conversion missed for a 10-17 scoreline.

Crucially the next score was Oldham’s as Drinkwater attacked the line on the last to send Farnworth in under the posts and extend the lead to 13 points.

Then came the furious finish.

Vila Halafihi from dummy half and then James Saltonstall in the corner and suddenly the Panthers were only three points behind.

A succession of penalties gave the hosts the chance to win it, but some heroic Roughyeds defending kept out three consecutive sets on the line as Oldham hung on.

Sometimes you just have to find a way to win, and Oldham’s defensive endeavour was the difference here in a game that could have got away.

“We came out and started really well that third quarter, but it’s never over is it?” said Long.

Penalties put us under the pump and most of their tries came off penalties.

We just need to tidy up our discipline.”

Oldham are back in action next weekend from the temporary home ground of Sedgley Park, for the visit of Widnes who beat Toulouse this weekend.