Roughyeds made to sweat by Kells

TRY TIME: Jon Ford crosses the line at the corner.

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Oldham 40, Kells 6

OLDHAM RL were on a hiding to nothing against crack amateur team Kells at Bower Fold.

Win by a comfortable margin, supporters would query the standard of the opposition. A close finish would have fans taking issue with the Roughyeds' performance.

Eight tries to one is a pretty comprehensive scoreline, but no-one should doubt the quality of the visiting Cumbrians. The Roughyeds weren't at their best, but Kells are good.

It was clear why the National Conference League high-fliers had beaten Hemel Stags in the previous stage. With the experience of Carl Sice pulling the strings, Kells carried a threat, especially on the wings.

They were slick in moving the ball across the line and shot into gaps which forced Danny Langtree, twice, and Richard Lepori into making points-saving tackles.

For that, the Roughyeds are glad to be in round five of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, where they can expect a different test altogether, possibly against Super League opposition. Tomorrow night’s draw will reveal all.

The home side should have scored more. Three times with the line in touching distance, the ball was sent forward on the final pass. It didn’t matter this time, but with Halifax and Swinton coming up over Easter as the focus returns to crucial league points, those chances need to be gobbled up.

It took Oldham five minutes to break the deadlock. Steve Roper cut inside and found Lepori, who in turn sent in Jamel Chisholm for the first of his two tries.

Jon Ford, making his first appearance of the season, had a try disallowed, before Kells threatened with Daniel Joyce's quick break, only to be stopped by Langtree.

Ford did get on the scoresheet midway through the opening period from close range - Sam Gee was the instigator - but Kells continued to threaten through Sice and second-row man Paul Culnean.

Two of Oldham's new boys in 2016 - Danny Grimshaw and Gary Middlehurst - combined for the third try.

Oldham had a big let-off when Tyrone Dalton knocked on as he touched down.

A converted try at that stage would have given Kells a massive lift. Instead replacement Adam Files added to the hosts' tally after neatly sidestepping two would-be tacklers close to the line.

Kells did give themselves a glimmer of hope on half-time hooter, with Ryan Watson twisting and turning his way over. Scott Lofthouse kicked the goal.

But any aspirations they had of mounting a serious comeback were quickly dispelled. Two tries in five minutes from Jack Holmes - Langtree was the centre's supplier on both occasions - put the tie to bed before the hour mark.

It was still far from vintage stuff from Oldham, though, as they were pegged back again for a forward pass with a try in sight.

The Roughyeds had to wait until two minutes from time before they troubled the scoreboard again, with the Ford and Chisholm partnership on the left-hand side opening the Kells' defence for the latter go in untroubled.

Job done. Now for the big Easter weekend.