Play-off heartache for gutsy Roughyeds

Oldham's players celebrate one of their four tries. Image courtesy of ORLFC

Having come from nowhere to storm into the Betfred League One play-offs with five wins in their last seven games of the regular season, scoring 223 points against 136 into the bargain, Roughyeds found the Rochdale derby one game too many in the Play-Off Eliminator at the Crown Oil Arena.

Hornets won 38-24 to earn a next-hurdle crack at North Wales Crusaders, but it was anyone’s game for long periods, as shown by the fact that the lead changed hands five times.

The home side took the game away from Oldham in 15 second-half minutes when they scored tries by Greg McNally, Connor Aspey, Rangi Chase and Gavin Bennion between the 53rd and 68th minutes.

Oldham were ahead at 6-0, 12-10 and, in the second half, at 20-14, but credit Hornets for their dynamic, determined and ultimately decisive fightback in which their forwards took control to provide the platform from which half-backs Chase and on-loan Kieran Rush did most of the damage.

Scoring tries for Oldham were Joe Hartley (two), Owen Restall and Kian Morgan, while Martyn Ridyard added three conversions and a penalty. 

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