Roughyeds rock high-flying Leigh

ROUGHYEDS reserves recorded a brilliant 20-16 win against high-flying Leigh Centurions last night, inflicting only their second defeat of the season.

“We gave an outstanding performance,” said coach John Hough. “But we’ve got to keep our feet on the ground. We go to Sheffield on Saturday.”

Leigh led 10-0 after 20 minutes and 16-6 just before the hour mark, but Oldham then took command to dominate the last 25 minutes and to score 14 points without reply thanks to an inspirational team effort.

The Roughyeds, who lost loose-forward Johnny Walker with a shoulder injury in the second minute of the game, got their first points on the board near half-time when winger Lewis Brooks capitalised on slick approach play by Dean Hatton, Mick Diveney and Kashley Watkins. Diveney added a superb conversion off the touchline.

A Diveney 40-20 put Roughyeds back on top early in the second half, but Leigh replied with their third try.

Roughyeds hit back when Watkins collected Diveney’s high restart kick for Hatton to send in prop Ben Mellor for a converted try.

Full-back Mark Brockle-hurst crashed over for a third Oldham try before Diveney landed a 67th-minute penalty and then broke Leigh’s resistance with two late drop goals.