Rovers ease to Challenge Cup victory

by Ryan Booth

Despite producing a creditable performance, Oldham RLFC’s Ladbrokes Challenge Cup run came to an abrupt end as Hull Kingston Rovers cruised into the sixth round with a comfortable 32-0 triumph at Bower Fold.

A hat-trick from Adam Quinlan coupled with tries from Chris Atkin, Will Oakes and Will Dagger saw Rovers progress into the next phase of the competition following a professional display in Stalybridge.

The Roughyeds were hopeful of repeating their 2016 giant-killing upset when the Rugby League world stood up as Scott Naylor’s side dumped Rovers out of the famous old trophy with a memorable 36-22 victory at Craven Park.

Super League’s [Hull] KR have made a sluggish start to the campaign having won just three times in eleven games - but Tim Sheens’ side found themselves in front after just six minutes when Chris Atkin linked up with Adam Quinlan and Junior Vaivai before the latter found Will Oakes in space on the right-hand side. Oakes then returned the ball inside to Atkin who strolled in under the posts.

Ryan Shaw added the resulting conversion but Oldham responded well and almost got on the scoresheet as Matt Reid powered over the line, but KR defended resiliently and held the centre up in-goal.

The momentum soon switched however and the visitors extended their lead further when the lively Oakes claimed his second assist of the day when Adam Quinlan latched onto the winger’s delicate grubber kick before touching down.

Oakes turned from provider to scorer ten minutes later, a sublime offload from James Greenwood kick-started the move before some slick hands from Vaivai allowed the 19-year-old to finish well in the same corner.

Unfortunately for Oldham, Rovers weren’t finished there.

Atkin found Vaivai with an early ball and the centre skipped inside a struggling right edge before feeding the onrushing Quinlan who crossed over for his second - Shaw added the extras to give Hull KR a 20-0 lead at the break.

After the break the hosts looked intent on trying to recover from the first half run-in, but after a high-tackle on James Donaldson was penalised by referee Gareth Hewer, Roughyeds were destined to endure a relapse of the disarray on show in the opening period.

KR were in again moments later as some smart play from Atkin and Greenwood resulted in Quinlan squeezing himself over the line before Shaw added his third goal of the day.

For large parts of the game Oldham stood up well against a side two divisions superior and made a good account of themselves - however they went further behind just before the hour mark as Will Dagger produced an outstanding individual effort to cross over before Shaw duly added the extras to put the game to bed and seal a place in the next round.

Oldham: Hooley, Eccleston, Reid, Holmes, Kershaw, Crook, Hewitt, Joy, Owen, Bridge, Langtree, Bent. Interchanges: Briscoe, Jones, Hughes, Nelmes.

Hull KR: Quinlan, Shaw, Salter, Vaivai, Oakes, Atkin, Marsh, Johnson, Cator, Scruton, Walne, Tickle, Donaldson. Interchanges: Masoe, Blair, Greenwood, Dagger.

Oldham Scorers: N/A | Goals- N/A

Hull KR Scorers: Tries-  Atkin (6’), Quinlan (25’, 37’, 48’), Oakes (34)’, Dagger (58’) | Goals- Shaw (4/6)

Referee: Gareth Hewer.

Attendance: 1.064.

Chronicle Man Of The Match: Danny Langtree.