Oldham defeated at Barrow
Date published: 10 March 2025
Roughyeds head coach Sean Long. Image courtesy of ORLFC
Oldham suffered a first defeat of the Betfred Championship season as an inspired Barrow earned a 20-6 win in front of a vocal home crowd.
Sean Long’s men never recovered form a 10-0 first-half deficit and lost both Logan Astley and George Hirst to injury as the Raiders ran out deserved winners.
“It’s a tough one to take,” Long told Roughyeds TV, with Oldham on the road again on Friday with a daunting trip to Super League Grand Finalists Hull KR in the Challenge Cup.
"Full credit to Barrow who defended their line very well and worked hard for each other.
"We will take it on the chin, dust ourselves down and get ready for next week.”
Long was without half-backs Josh Drinkwater and Riley Dean, with key men Iain Thornley, Matty Ashurst and Gil Dudson also missing from the first away trip of 2025.
Barrow had Tee Ritson back in their side and it was the Super League winger who gave them lift off with a terrific individual try, kicking over the Oldham defence and chasing through to score.
Oldham indiscipline allowed Brad Walker to add two penalties as the home side carved a 10-0 lead, before Riley Dean capitalised on a Ben Forster offload to get Long’s men on the board.
Astley suffered a worrying ankle injury before the break on what was his first game since injury, with Bailey Aldridge on in his place as Oldham went into the break 10-6 down.
Barrow struck again at the start of the second half when the prolific Andrew Bulman finished in the corner after the Raiders kicked high on the last, as Oldham fell 14-6 behind.
Hirst then also hobbled off as Adam Lawton was thrown into the fray, and the big man thought he had grabbed a crucial try before the ball was knocked out on the stretch.
Heroic Barrow defending kept Oldham at bay before the game was clinched on the break through Aaron Smith.
“Unusually for us we started really slow, really flat,” said Long.
"We had a good chat at half-time and I think we had enough chances in the second half especially in the last 20 when we were peppering their line.
"I think if we score one try then we come home with a wet sail.
"That selection was probably as strong as I could have gone.
"Owen Farnworth pulled out with his back and my hand was forced. It gave lads a chance and it’s a long season so I need to rest some players at some point - I don’t regret that.
"We had plenty of chances to win that game.”
On the injuries to Astley and Hirst, Long added: “It doesn’t look great, both are ankles.
"When you lose your half after 20 minutes it does throw a spanner in the works.
"I can’t fault the lads’ effort they just need to play a bit smarter.”
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