Roughyeds run out of time to rein in Bulls

Photo: Dave Murgatroyd

HE'S OVER . . . Danny Grimshaw scores a try as Oldham attempt to claw themselves back into the game

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OLDHAM'S sensational second-half show fell just short of sealing an amazing comeback against a Bradford side lucky to cling on for the victory.

The Bulls, whose relegation from the Kingstone Press Championship was confirmed last week, played for half an hour like a team without a care in the world and opened up a 20-0 lead at a sunny Bower Fold.

But once Roughyeds got on the scoresheet through Jack Spencer, the tables were turned in the most dramatic of fashion.

Danny Grimshaw and Michael Ward also went over, with young full-back Luke Hooley adding two goals to narrow the gap to four points.

SIEGE

The last 20 minutes saw Scott Naylor's Oldham side lay siege to the Bulls' line and Luke Adamson saw his try ruled out for crossing.

But the visitors somehow held on and with Swinton losing at home to Sheffield, it was a chance missed for Roughyeds to move out of the bottom two.

Bradford made a fast start and got their first try after eight minutes when Joseph Keyes' long pass sent Josh Rickett in at the corner.

Scott Moore grabbed the Bulls' second after Cory Aston's 40-20 kick, with Lee Smith converting from under the sticks.

Oldham were flat, with a repeat last weekend's 56-16 defeat at the Eagles looking on the cards.

And Geoff Toovey's Bulls were in no mood to let them off the hook, with second row James Bentley benefitting from a delightful flicked pass from Vila Halafihi to crash over.

Aston was now on kicking duty, and while he missed his first attempt he was more successful after his own try which saw Sam Hallas and Bentley combine to send the scrum-half racing clear.

Roughyeds were rocking and desperately needed a score before half-time to give them hope.

Step up Spencer, who took advantage of some barnstorming work from Ward to claim his try.

Wakefield loanee Hooley, who impressed at full-back in his second game, knocked over the extras.

Bradford's discipline slipped badly as they got frustrated with Oldham's revival, but it would take the hosts until after the restart before they got over the whitewash again.

PRESSURE

Back-to-back sets kept up the pressure and Danny Grimshaw stretched out a right hand to reduce the gap to 10 points.

It was one-way traffic and Dave Hewitt almost opened up the Bulls when he sent through a grubber kick that Smith had to carry behind.

But Bradford couldn't do anything about the next Oldham surge as Ward barged over.

Hooley's kick narrowed the deficit to four points and it seemed just a matter of time before they got themselves level.

But the final 30 minutes brought no further scores, despite Roughyeds throwing everything they had at Bradford. Adamson got the ball down, but saw his effort disallowed by referee John McMullen, who also ruled both Matt Wilkinson and Sadiq Adebiyi were held up by some desperate Bulls tackling.

The best chance came when Hooley collected a high ball and fed Kameron Pearce-Paul, but he ignored the men outside him and the chance was gone.

The hooter was greeted with celebrations from the travelling Bulls fans - and made it just one win in 14 for their hosts.