Rampant Roughyeds stun derby rivals Rochdale

Roughyeds were back in free-scoring form at the Vestacare Stadium as they put ten tries past a hapless Rochdale Hornets on Good Friday.

Stuart Littler’s men – who registered their first home victory over Hornets since 2015 – were uncompromising in a rip-roaring first half where they were averaging more than a point a minute after half an hour.

Roughyeds failed to register a win against Rochdale in three attempts last year – this time they were explosive from minute one.

It didn’t take long for the onslaught to start and some good work from Matty Wilkinson in finding space was rewarded when Pat Ah Van dived over for a try, which Martyn Ridyard converted.

Next, Kian Morgan, who was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet, couldn’t hold on to the ball as he dived for the line after some quick hands by Logan Astley.

More Hornets errors ensued, and Astley got his first try of the game off the back of an outrageous dummy which allowed him to score unopposed and Ridyard added the extras.

Shortly after, Roughyeds were in again with Alex Sutton getting on the scoresheet off the back of a Martyn Ridyard 40/20.

Oldham were simply too quick when Matty Wilkinson set Ah Van away with a basketball-style pass off the back of a strong carry from Zac Baker.

Ah Van offloaded the ball to Astley, who scored a try under the sticks.

Jordan Paga, who had five tries to his name going into the derby, was next to get in on the act as he shrugged off Hornets tacklers to make it 28-0, before Ridyard added the extras.

Hornets got a consolation through Jack Arnold who used his strength to power his way over for a try which David Hewitt converted.

As the hooter went for the second half, Roughyeds picked up where they left off.

Roughyeds overloaded men on the right and, as the ball was shifted over, Astley handed it on to his Wigan counterpart Sutton who scored in the corner to make it 34-6.

Sutton nearly had a third when Harvey Wilson broke through the weak Hornets line but Astley's kick on the last tackle was an inch too far and went out of play.

Aided by rare Roughyeds indiscipline, Hornets finally found their feet through a try from Brad Holroyd.

Lewis Else went over the line for another, but any momentum they had gained was thrown away when Ben Forster was sin binned on 61 minutes.

Paga responded, and then Luke Nelmes – whose last try was against Doncaster in July 2022 – went in under the sticks to score, before Ridyard made the scores 46-16.

Then Ah Van somehow found a gap to offload the ball, as he was being wrapped up, into the hands of Nelmes who couldn’t believe his luck as he scored his second try of the evening under the sticks.

A last minute try from Connor Carr topped off a near-perfect performance from Roughyeds who are, so far, proving to be a force to be reckoned with in League 1.

OLDHAM: Astley; Douglas, Sutton, Morgan, Ah Van; Ridyard, Paga; Blagbrough, Wilkinson, Nelmes, Ferry, Baker, Whittel. Subs: Slater, Newton, Carr, Wilson (all used). 18th Man: Hirst.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.