Oldham off to a flier

Matt Diskin's men turned the tables in their first league match of the new season thanks to a remarkable second-half rally

Oldham got their 2021 Betfred Championship campaign of to a flying start with a 28-20 win against derby rivals Swinton Lions at Bower Fold.

Five days earlier Lions won 23-14 to knock Roughyeds out of the Betfred Challenge Cup at Heywood Road, but Matt Diskin's men turned the tables in this first league match of the new season thanks to a remarkable second-half rally.

They trailed 20-10 at half-time, but stormed down the slight gradient in the second half to pile on 18 unanswered points, including a brace of tries by right-centre Ben Heaton.

Max Roberts, Ryan Ince and Tyler Dupree also scored tries while full-back Dan Abram kicked four goals, including three off the touchline.

Apart from a spell when Swinton ran in three tries in ten minutes late in the first half, Oldham's forwards dominated the game and behind them Abram, Heaton, Gareth Owen, Dave Hewitt and Declan Gregory were on fire.

With the scores locked at 20-20 and 15 minutes left, Swinton's new loan signing Tom Spencer was sent off for throwing a punch and the home side went on to finish the job with Heaton's second try plus the conversion and a penalty goal by full-back Abram.

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