Dixon’s debut double sends Roughyeds top

New boy Kieran Dixon scored two tries on his debut as Oldham dismissed a dogged North Wales 32-6 to go back to the top of Betfred League 1.

The winger also kicked four goals as the Roughyeds overcame some sustained early Crusaders pressure to move a point clear of Keighley at the top ahead of the showdown between the two next weekend at Boundary Park.

“He was good,” head coach Sean Long told Roughyeds TV.

“He is still learning our system as he has only been here a week.

"He can kick goals for fun too.

"But our pack was outstanding today."

With Dixon’s first touch in an Oldham shirt seeing him send the kick off out on the full, North Wales came out flying and forced three early drop-outs but were unable to make their pressure pay.

The Roughyeds suffered a blow when impressive forward George Hirst was forced off with a shoulder injury while Elijah Taylor, starting at hooker, failed a Head Injury Assessment meaning he will miss the crunch clash with the Cougars next week.

Substitute Bailey Aldridge though was excellent and got Oldham on to the front foot.

The opening try came after 17 minutes from a scrum in front of the posts, Ben O’Keefe finishing strongly and Dixon converting for a 6-0 lead.

That fired Oldham up and Dixon scored a cracker when he controlled a high kick from Josh Johnson of all people and dribbled through for a 12-0 lead.

The former Widnes man scored his second after an electric Aldridge break, Matty Wildie changing the angle smartly to allow Turner to send Dixon in at the corner.

A 16-0 half-time lead was soon added to after the interval.

Turner was denied a try by a double movement on his return to the side before another returning star - winger Mo Agoro - powered down the right from O’Keefe’s pass, Dixon adding the extras for a 22-0 lead.

Brad Gallagher span over for a try before Agoro added his second with another winger’s finish, Chris Barratt grabbing the North Wales consolation late on.

A melee on the full-time hooter saw Johnson sent off for Oldham, another anxious wait for Long who has key man Danny Craven up before a tribunal tomorrow (Tuesday).

“We really focused on the start and we didn’t start how we wanted to, but credit to our defence which was outstanding,” Long added.

“I said to them at half-time ‘do you enjoy tackling?!’

"It was a tough game and we have some sore bodies.

“There are a lot of improvements we need to fix up for next week, but I can’t fault the effort from the lads."

---

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.