Play-off gloom for luckless Oldham

YET again there was play-off grand final agony for brave Oldham yesterday as the Roughyeds missed out on promotion to the second tier of rugby league.

Scott Naylor’s side were roared on by almost 1,000 Roughyeds fans at the Leigh Sports Village, only for derby rivals Rochdale Hornets to win elevation to the Kingstone Press Championship courtesy of a 32-18 victory.

There has been plenty of final-day heartbreak for Oldham supporters in recent years. Emotions were running high after Oldham fans watched their team throw away an 18-12 lead in the second half.

Dave Parrish, from Moorside, said: “It’s gut-wrenching. I can’t believe we’ve come all this way after a great season and then lost it again on the final day.

“We know how hard the players and coaches work behind the scenes, so the fans feel sorry for them.

“They will just have to pick themselves up again now and go for it again next year.”