Rampant Roughyeds celebrate title victory in style

Oldham celebrated their League One title in style with a 14-try blitz to thrash Cornwall 72-0, as Ben O'Keefe scored four tries and Cian Tyrer racked up 30 for the season in another devastating display at Boundary Park.

The Roughyeds won each half 36-0 in a performance that combined defensive grit with stylish finishing as Sean Long's men close out the season in style ahead of next week's final game at home to Workington.

"The lads who came in, it was their chance to shine and I thought they were outstanding and took it to another level," head coach Sean Long told Roughyeds TV, as O'Keefe grabbed four, Tyrer two and a double each for Jumah Sambou and captain Jordan Turner, including his 150th career try.

Tyrer and Sambou started on the wings in place of the rested Mo Agoro and Kieran Dixon, with O'Keefe and Turner in the centres and Logan Astley back in the side to partner Jamie Ellis in the halves.

It was O'Keefe who struck the first blow when Sambou tapped back an Ellis kick and the centre powered round the outside to score - Ellis converting expertly from the touchline in front of a packed Joe Royle Stand.

Tyrer then found himself in touch as he set his sights on the corner, before Adam Sidlow was gifted his first try in an Oldham shirt when Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e went in under the posts but allowed the on-loan Salford prop to provide the finishing touch.

Astley weaved his way through the Cornwall defence before O'Keefe took a lovely Ellis pass to notch his second, and Turner hit his try milestone with a powerful finish from dummy half.

Craig Kopczak added the home side's sixth try of the half - all converted by Ellis, as Oldham took a huge lead at the break.

There was no let-up after half-time as Tyrer was handed his first try on a plate by Turner and O'Keefe supplied a great finish to complete his hat-trick.

Josh Johnson touched down from a Wildie pass as the floodgates opened, with O'Keefe adding his fourth, Tyrer grabbing another easy score in the corner and Sambou producing two powerful finishes either side of Turner's second from a Tyrer break.

Ellis was a little off radar with the boot after half-time, finishing with 8/14 in another big win that underlined just how the Roughyeds have won the title with two games to spare.

Oldham will now be presented with the League One title next Sunday and are urging all supporters to be at Boundary Park for a special moment to commemorate a special season, ahead of a return to the Championship in the New Year.

Oldham team: Laulu-Togaga’e, Sambou, O’Keefe, Turner, Tyrer, Astley, Ellis, Farnworth, Aldridge, T.Chapelhow, Hirst, Taylor, Sidlow.

Subs: Wildie, Moran, Josh Johnson, Kopczak.

18th man: Jack Johnson.

---

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.