It's Hull KR next for brilliant Roughyeds

by Ryan Booth

Oldham secured a place in the fifth-round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup after overhauling Halifax 27-6 courtesy of a clinical display at the MBi Shay last night (Tuesday).

After the original fixture scheduled for last Sunday was postponed due to heavy snowfall, Scott Naylor’s side travelled to West Yorkshire knowing a place in the fifth-round of the famous old trophy and a glamorous home tie with Super League side Hull Kingston Rovers awaited the winners.

The Roughyeds made the perfect start to the contest - a slick cross-field move found resulted in Danny Langtree receiving the ball on the right-hand side before delivering a dummy and crossing over with just nine minutes on the clock, Paul Crook added the extras.

Many would be excused of presuming Oldham were to endure a frustrating evening, Richard Marshall’s ‘Fax are a highly-competitive Betfred Championship outfit - but Oldham more than matched their superior opponents, in fact Naylor’s men took control.

After coming close to doubling their lead on a number of occasions throughout the period, Roughyeds were finally in again when Zack McComb executed a superb flick pass to find Ben West who touched down to extend Oldham’s lead, although Crook’s conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

However Crook eventually added his second goal, Halifax gave away a penalty when Ben Heaton was deemed offside just seconds before the break - former Whitehaven man Crook opted to kick at goal and duly converted.

Roughyeds picked up where they left off after the interval and earned yet another penalty just five minutes into the half, Crook stepped up once more to increase the margin between the two sides to fourteen points - although the half-back was sin-binned for a high-tackle ten minutes later.

Halifax subsequently made the man advantage count as Ben Heaton dived over from close range before Steve Tyrer added the extras in front of the sticks, but this was as good as it got for ‘Fax.

Minutes later, Oldham crossed over again - West grabbed his second of the tie after some quick hands helped forge the opening, Crook successfully converted the resulting goal.

The Roughyeds were now running riot and inflicted further misery on the hosts soon after as David Hewitt cleverly landed a drop-goal to extend Oldham’s lead.

Crook then turned from goal-kicker to try-scorer after touching down to claim his first effort of the evening, before the half-back subsequently converted his own score to complete the rout and send Roughyeds flying into the next round of the Challenge Cup.

"It was a terrific performance and a fully deserved win," enthused delighted Oldham boss Scott Naylor.

Oldham now face Hull KR in a mouthwatering fifth-round tie, with the game set to take place at the Vestacare Stadium during the weekend of April 21/22.

Oldham: Martin, Eccleston, Reid, McComb, West, Crook, Hewitt, Spencer, Wilkinson, Neal, Bridge, Langtree, Bent.

Interchanges: Briscoe, Hughes, Rasool, Nelmes.

Halifax: Woodburn-Hall, Saltonstall, Heaton, Tyrer, McGrath, Brook, Johnston, Morris, Kaye, Fleming, Calcott, Butler, Barber.

Interchanges: Douglas, Jones, Moore, Davies.

Oldham Scorers: Tries- Langtree (9’), West (28’, 59’), Crook (78’)

Goals- Crook (10’, 39’, 45’, 60’, 78’)

Drop Goals- Hewitt (65’)

Halifax Scorers: Tries-  Heaton (56’)

Goals- Tyer (57’)

Chronicle Man of the Match: Paul Crook

Attendance: 688