Chairman hails cup crackers

Steve Roper salutes the Roughyeds supporters at the KC Lightstream Stadium

“A MONUMENTAL effort both physically and mentally.”

That is how chairman Chris Hamilton described Oldham RL’s stunning success over Super League side Hull KR in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

The Roughyeds, who play one tier below Hull KR in the Championship, scored half-a-dozen tries in a 36-22 victory against last year’s finalists.

Leading 24-6 at half-time, Oldham withstood a Robins fightback to cause one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s recent past and secure a place in Thursday’s last-16 draw.

“For a relatively new team in the Championship against an established Super League side, it was an outstanding achievement,” said Hamilton.

“It was biggest day in the club's 19-year history.

“The players lifted themselves to a completely different level. They were immense.

“It was no fluke, either. From one to 17, every player gave nothing short of 100-per-cent. They defended as if their lives depended on it.

“When Hull KR got it back to 6-6 in the first half, our players kicked on again and you could see the confidence building.

“The players were very tired at the end, as you would expect, as they really came at us in second half.

“Hull KR are faster and stronger — they play in the Super League — but the two tries we scored in the second half meant we were able to keep a reasonable distance in front of them.

“Those last few minutes were very hard to watch, though.”

Oldham’s season has taken off recently with back-to-back league wins, but Saturday’s victory at Hull KR at the KC Lightstream Stadium was a huge step up on those previous successes.

‘MASSIVE’

Hamilton added: “To beat Batley was massive as they were top of the table and had overcome some of the best sides in the division, and then to beat Sheffield Eagles, who are full time, was another huge achievement.

“But to beat Hull KR is incredible. The players have got so much belief.

“It must said that we were down to the bare bones again, with players playing out of their normal positions. They gave their all and deserved the celebrations.

“The supporters as well. Those that made the trip across to Hull were fantastic.”

o THE sixth-round draw will take place live on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday from 8.30am.

o OLDHAM’S home game against Bradford Bulls, postponed on March 6 and provisionally rearranged for Sunday, May 8, will have to be rescheduled again because of Roughyeds’ involvement that weekend in the Challenge Cup.

In another alteration to the busy schedule, the Halifax game at The Shay on Sunday, May 22 has been brought forward to Friday night, May 20 (8pm), because Halifax FC are at Wembley on the Sunday and operational staff who work for both clubs at The Shay will be at Wembley with them.