Bravehearts to the end

Photo: Pictures by GRAHAM LYNCH

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE . . . Oldham’s Matt Fogarty (centre) is caught between Saints’ Tommy Makinson (right) and Jonny Lomax.

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Oldham 0, St Helens 76

OUT-MUSCLED and thoroughly out-scored but never, ever, outfought, Oldham can hold their collective heads high despite exiting the Carnegie Challenge Cup to a heavy defeat at the hands of a frighteningly efficient St Helens outfit.

In the first half, particularly, Tony Benson’s side continually pushed back their illustrious Super League opponents as clever kicking from Jamie Dallimore and his half-back partner Danny Whitmore was paired with an energetic chase.

And even as bodies understandably tired as the game pressed on, the Roughyeds refused to throw in the towel.

Roared on by a sizeable following from Oldham, the steady stream of penalties was a major factor in the Roughyeds falling behind by a margin as heavy as the 38-0 established at the half-way point.

On four occasions of the six in which referee George Stokes cited Tony Benson’s side for infringements, Saints went on to drive home the advantage through tries.

The quality of play served up by the Langtree Park side was often irresistible.

Against that, Oldham’s forwards battled away gamely.

In a bright opening quarter, St Helens managed to claim only two of their 14 tries.

Oldham’s weary players should have plenty of lessons stored in the memory banks from this one.

That can only bode well for the priority of gaining a top-four place in Championship One, while the plentiful gate receipts from a crowd of 5,746 will also do plenty of lasting good for the club.



The full version of this story is available in our print and eChron editions