Roughyeds mistakes prove costly as Challenge Cup bid ends

Several ball handling errors proved to be Oldham’s downfall as they fell to their first defeat under boss Sean Long, as Swinton progressed to the fifth round of the Challenge Cup.

An Oldham error, right from the first kick of the game, set the tone for a match in which Roughyeds were the architects of their own downfall.

Dec Patton’s high kicks proved a nightmare for Oldham’s back three for the full eighty minutes with Swinton reaping the rewards.

There couldn’t have been a worse start for Oldham when they knocked on direct from the kick-off and, from the scrum, it was former Roughyed Dan Abram who ran through a gap to score.

The Lions were averaging a point a minute in the opening stages with Oldham unable to gain any field position, due to the unforced errors.

Another spilled ball from Patton’s kick, as well as a penalty, gave Swinton another golden opportunity to add more points to the scoreboard, which they duly did with Patton converting the penalty to make it 8-0.

Oldham had plenty of chances in the game, and they should have been in when Matty Wildie spotted a gap, but he spilled the ball over the goal-line.

Oldham dealt with some more Swinton pressure but, coming off their own line, Agoro spilled the ball on the first carry and Lewis Hatton pounced to make it 14-0.

Swinton were not perfect either - they gave 13 penalties away across the game - but their goal-line defence was solid, and Oldham were unable to break them down.

Several chances for Oldham went begging, and it took until the 39th minute to break the Lions defence when Danny Craven found his way over for a try direct from a scrum.

Roughyeds started the second forty brightly, thanks to the introduction of Craig Kopczak who made several strong carries.

Jack Johnson could have been in but for the scrambling Lions defenders who forced him into touch.

Oldham then had consecutive sets of six facing the Swinton goal-line, but they did not budge.

And after just one Oldham mistake - a high shot on Abram - Alan Kilshaw’s men took full advantage when a George Roby grubber kick was pounced on by another former Oldham man, Lewis Hall - formerly Charnock.

Oldham kept battling with chances for Jay Chapelhow and Jack Johnson, but there was no way in.

As Roughyeds were getting closer, Jake Speddin, out of nowhere, darted through the Oldham line as he ran the length of the field to score a try which all but sealed Swinton’s win.

Patton gained another two points after scoring his second penalty kick, before Ted Chapelhow earned a consolation try for Oldham eight minutes from time.

This defeat at the hands of Swinton was a stark reminder that Oldham will not have it all their way this season - something they will be well aware of when they travel to York next week in the 1895 Cup quarter-final.

OLDHAM: Astley; Agoro, O’Keefe, Turner, Jack Johnson; Craven, Ellis; Farnworth, Wildie, J.Chapelhow, Wardle, Lawton, Taylor. Subs: Kopczak, T.Chapelhow, Moran, Josh Johnson (all used). 18th Man: Morgan.

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