Late score denies reserves

JOHN Hough’s Oldham RL reserves drew 28-28 with Featherstone Rovers at Whitebank last night after conceding a converted try by Rovers full-back Tom Carr with only one minute left on the clock.

Going for their sixth win in a row, Roughyeds had to settle for one league point despite leading 18-6 at half-time and then 28-22 in a compelling last few minutes.

“Rovers were the better team in the second half,” said Hough. “When they went in front at 22-18 I thought we had gone, but we showed a lot of character to stay in the game and very nearly win it.

“We made a lot of silly mistakes and gave away some dumb penalties. We were lucky to get a point, so in that respect it's a point gained.”

Rovers dominated the second half to score 16 unanswered points before they had stand-off Jack Bussey sin-binned for a late challenge on Jamie Dallimore in the 65th minute.

Roughyeds responded with late tries by Dallimore and winger Terry Bridge to lead 28-22, but they couldn’t control a wicked restart kick and Rovers capitalised by scoring the equalising try and goal in a last-gasp attack.

Each side kicked four goals and scored five tries, Oldham’s points coming from Dallimore’s four goals and tries by Alex Thomson, Tommy Connick, Steven Nield, Dallimore and Bridge.

Oldham: Nield; Cotton, Williams, Cookson, Bridge; Dallimore, Connick; Joy, Dean, Bland, Ward, Knight, Thomson. Subs: Whitmore, Barber, Wood-Hulme, Spencer.