Roughyeds through after first-half scare

Paul O’Connor runs in for a score down the middle during the Roughyeds’ win over Hunslet.

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HUNSLET 14, OLDHAM 32

A PLACE in the last eight of the Northern Rail Cup awaits Oldham after a victory which was less comfortable a ride than the scoreline suggests.

While Tony Benson’s Roughyeds dominated the second half at the South Leeds Stadium, shutting out the home team while scoring three tries to add to a pair in the opening period — centre Paul Reilly marked his first start in an Oldham shirt with a well-taken hat-trick — the opening period undoubtedly belonged to the Hawks.

Enthusiastic to bursting point, Hunslet held a 14-10 lead as the sides changed ends and even then, the gap would have been greater if not for Reilly’s first of the game, three minutes before half-time.

Despite having a record of three losses from three played prior to Oldham’s arrival, the Hawks put in a grafting, intelligent stint and were good value for that advantage at the break.

Stand-out men were full-back Nathan Larvin and replacement hooker Richard Chapman, the latter setting up a terrific try for the former thanks to a superb flicked pass out of the back of his hand, while Papua New Guinea trio Michael Mark, Charlie Wabo and Nicko Slain buzzed around with an infectious desire to impress in front of compatriot star Stanley Gene, watching on from the main stand.

Oldham, on the other hand, seemed a little flat in comparison and slightly slack in defence. Discipline was an issue at times, with Thomas Coyle and captain Robert Roberts attracting referee Chris Leatherbarrow’s attentions for the wrong reasons due to words spoken out of turn.

After the break, it was the Hawks’ turn to feel the wrath of the whistle-blower. While the Roughyeds were behind in the first-half count 6-2, in the second 40 minutes they had eight in their favour compared to one going Hunslet’s way.

Hunslet coach Graeme Hallas was clearly aggrieved by the awarding of the try which pulled the Roughyeds ahead four minutes into the second half, branding it a “shocking” decision after the game.

Thomas Coyle spun a long pass out to Andy Ballard on the right wing which appeared to have travelled, on a conservative estimate, at least a couple of yards forward on its journey. Not so, said the officials, and Reilly was on hand to run in his second try of the game.

Still, only a few minutes later Tommy Goulden had his own effort ruled out on what appeared to be a very marginal call. These things even themselves out, as they say — though the home side may disagree due to the fact that by that point, Reilly had added his third after working his way over the line superbly following Goulden’s left-footed cross-field kick on the last.

With Oldham leading 20-14, there were few scares left and once Paul O’Connor had backed up James Coyle’s clever dart down centre-field, there was only ever one winner. Danny Halliwell backed up the point with a try off an cut-out pass from James, one of a number of such plays which paid off for Benson’s men.

The opening try of the game went Oldham’s way, James Coyle firing out an accurate long cut-out pass for Lucas Onyango to mark his return to the side with a try on the left.

But Hunslet responded strongly and good running from Ayden Faal saw him surge through the tackles before extending an arm to touch down, Darren Robinson converting to edge the home side ahead.

Five minutes later that lead was extended and, given the levels of enthusiasm being displayed by the home side, it was of little surprise. Chapman embarked on a run down the left and his lovely pass released Michael Brown, who handed to Larvin.

Despite being under the cosh, the visitors managed to grab the next try when good work from Thomas Coyle released Ballard, who found Reilly supporting on the inside, Ballard adding the extras to bring the score back to 12-10 three minutes before half-time.

Just before the break, a flare-up involving Roberts was put on report and the Hawks extended their lead through a Chapman penalty goal. Credit to Oldham, though, for ultimately keeping cool heads.