Oldham put to sword by Knights

Photo: PICTURE: ANTHONY MILLER.

OLDHAM’S Nick Ryan is stopped in his tracks.

COMPETING against bigger, stronger opponents, an Oldham RL under-20s side was beaten 42-10 by York City Knights in a pre-season friendly at Whitebank last night.

Loose-forward Nick Ryan and winger Steven Woods scored tries for the home side, while stand-off Tom Flanagan converted Ryan's touchdown.

Full-back Mike Halsall and props Grant Hudson and Jordan Morris worked tirelessly for the Roughyeds, who trailed 16-10 at half-time.

But the home outfit fell away in the second half when York had the advantage of attacking down the slope.

Said coach Phil Costin: "It was always going to be a tough ask for us because we agreed that York could play over-age players, although we fielded a very young side.

"We were grateful to them for travelling to play here in midweek.

"We've got something to build on, although they were too strong down the middle for us, especially in the second half. We can only get better."

Club chairman Chris Hamilton added: "It's a huge step-up from under-18s to under-20s. The boys know now what they must aspire to, but it's all part of their learning curve."