Oldham edge out Rochdale to win the Law Cup

Tries from Logan Astley, Cian Tyrer and Kieran Dixon inspired Oldham to their first win of 2025 as the Roughyeds withstood a spirited display from local rivals Rochdale to win the Law Cup 16-14 at Boundary Park.

The Hornets fought back from 10-0 down to level early in the second half, but Dixon's electric try off the bench proved decisive on a bitterly cold Wednesday night under the floodlights as Sean Long's side grabbed their first victory of the year.

With captain Jordan Turner and Lewis Baxter tweaking hamstrings during Sunday's narrow defeat to Super League champions Wigan and a Challenge Cup opener against Rochdale Mayfield to come on Sunday, Long rotated his squad.

Riley Dean and Astley formed the starting half-back pairing, with Tyrer and Mo Agoro on the wings, and there was a debut off the bench for Waterhead teenager Marcus Geener.

The hosts started well and deservedly hit the front when the in-form Astley darted over from dummy half, Dean converting for a 6-0 lead.

A super move brought try number two as Craig Kopczak created some chaos in front of the posts and a fantastic Riley Dean pass found Tyrer who finished smartly in the corner, Dean this time off target as Oldham moved 10-0 ahead.

After further opportunities were put down it was Rochdale who struck against the run of play just before the half-time hooter as Myles-Dalton Harrop finished an overlap down the Hornets' left to reduce the visitors' arrears to 10-6 at the break.

And the Hornets struck early in the second half too to level the scores, former Roughyed Jordan Andrade powering over, with the conversion missed it was game on at 10-10.

The try gave Rochdale real hope of an upset against their Championship rivals, and the Hornets missed a golden chance to take the lead by bombing an overlap down the left, and a terrific defensive effort from Sambou and Agoro forced another break into touch.

Step forward Dixon off the bench for the moment of the match, as the former Super League winger combined sharp footwork with a devastating burst of pace to score under the posts out of nothing, before converting his own try to move Oldham 16-10 clear.

Led by the superb Owen Farnworth, Odham's pack was back on top, yet winger Luke Forber dived in at the corner to give Rochdale hope once more, Martyn Ridyard missing from the touchline as Oldham closed out the game for a narrow win.

Debutant Geener played 50 minutes off the bench on his Oldham debut and almost capped an assured performance with a late try but was unable to take the pass.

"It absolutely flew by and I am happy with everything," Geener told Roughyeds TV.

"To win it against Rochdale as an Oldham lad is great. I was confident and knew if I got my chance I would do well and I think I did well.

"I said to the lads that I wanted to make sure they know I'm not some random kid they've pulled from Waterhead, and that I am good enough."

One negative for Oldham was another injury, as the impressive Astley hobbled off with a calf issue and will be assessed this week.

It's another quick turnaround for Long's men who welcome Rochdale Mayfield in the Challenge Cup on Sunday for a 12:30pm kick-off at Boundary Park.

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