Downed by the Dons

Photo: PICTURES: GRAHAM LYNCH

GROUNDED . . . Dave Cookson dives over for Oldham’s third try at the Keepmoat Stadium.

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Doncaster 40, Oldham 18

Roughyeds hit hard by last-minute withdrawals

INJURIES and illness contributed to another Oldham defeat but they could have few complaints overall after being overpowered by Co-operative Championship One leaders Doncaster.

Tony Benson had several players ruled out through injury and was hit by a ’flu bug which cost him the services of Mark McCully and Danny Whitmore at the last minute.

Loose-forward Martin Roden was also suffering, but he managed to get through the match and Oldham shook off their ailments to show plenty of spirit at the start.

Benson was looking for a big improvement following the previous week’s defeat by North Wales Crusaders and his players responded with a determined first-half display.

Excellent defence prevented Paul Cooke from scoring in the ninth minute and Miles Greenwood did well to halt another home attack moments later.

Graham Holroyd rose to the occasion against his old club and was instrumental in the move which led to Oldham snatching a surprise 12th-mintue lead.

A brilliant pass from home star Cooke led to Tom Hodson scoring in the corner in the 29th minute, and Oldham were made to pay when John Clough was sin-binned for deliberate obstruction seconds before the interval.

Oldham went in only 10-4 down, but Doncaster capitalised after the break with a couple of tries inside eight minutes from Francis Welsh and Mike Kelly.

It went from bad to worse for Oldham after that as the home side punished their mistakes..



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