Defence is key as Roughyeds triumph at Workington

Oldham maintained their position as leaders of League 1 with centre Ben O’Keefe scoring two tries in a hard-fought 28-4 win at Workington.

Boss Sean Long praised his side’s defensive effort in what was a third consecutive victory since the defeat at Keighley, and singled out returning forward Joe Wardle as key to the win in Cumbria.

Centre O’Keefe was back in the side after being rested last week at Newcastle, winger Mo Agoro though was still missing as he recovers from an abdominal injury, and Logan Astley was passed fit after recovering from a knock last week.

Roared on by the usual passionate away support, the Roughyeds had the first opportunity for points after eight minutes, but Jack Johnson was forced into touch out wide before grounding the ball, after smart work from Astley.

Johnson had another opportunity moments later but couldn’t hang on to Danny Craven’s crossfield kick with the line begging as Oldham looked to find a way through.

The hosts attempted to gain a territorial advantage with a series of early kicks but found no way past full-back Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e and it was Long’s men who struck to take the lead.

Workington were the architects of their own downfall with a loose pass going to ground, allowing O’Keefe to race clear from his own half to mark his return with a try in the left corner.

Astley on kicking duties saw his attempt hit the post and Oldham led 4-0.

Despite some decent pressure on the Town line it took until four minutes before half-time for Oldham to extend their lead.

This time it was Craven with a trademark try, dummying his way over, Astley again off target and Oldham heading into the break with an 8-0 lead.

The second half saw Oldham exert more dominance and take control.

Fifteen minutes into the second period and Oldham found try number three, and a second in as many games for the new man Nathan Roebuck, as the big centre benefited from slick approach work from PLT and Astley.

Winger Cian Tyrer took over from the kicking tee but was again off target.

Astley scored try number four in support of a Jack Johnson break, with Tyrer finally slotting over Oldham’s first kick at the fourth attempt for an 18-0 lead.

That broke Workington’s resolve and Tyrer bagged his 20th of the season to extend his lead at the top of the try charts, the assist from O’Keefe who then grabbed his second try, Tyrer converting for a 28-0 lead.

There would be no defensive shut-out for Long’s men though, as Town new boy Richard Lepori grabbed a late consolation in the corner.

“It was a gritty game, we started off a little slow and gave away a few penalties,” Long told Roughyeds TV.

“Our defence was really good, full credit to Workington who had a right dig at us but we stuck to the process and have come away with the victory.

“We focused a lot on our D and the pride in our D.

"We are really pleased with that, there are still improvements to work on but Workington had a right crack and we only pulled away in the second half.

“Phoenix was really good, a livewire, and I thought our forwards set the platform in the second half.

“It was good to get Joe Wardle back on the field as well, we have missed him and I think he set the tone in the second half.”

After two months on the road because of work to the Boundary Park pitch, Oldham return home next weekend to host Hunslet.

Should England top their group at Euro 24 they are scheduled to play their last 16 match at 5pm, and fans are invited to take in a double header, with the Roughyeds kicking off at 2pm before the football is shown on the big screen in the Fans Bar.

Oldham team: Laulu-Togaga’e, Johnson, Roebuck, O’Keefe, Tyrer, Craven, Astley, Farnworth, Wildie, Chapelhow, Hirst, Taylor, Moran.

Subs: Aldridge, Wardle, T.Chapelhow, Kopczak

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