Oldham 72 vs 24 Hunslet
Hunslet could only name 16 fit players for their trip to Oldham in the 1895 and subsequently exited the competition on the wrong end of a big score, but at Half-time the Parksiders were well in the game, the contrast between the two halves could not have been different.
With none of the recent loanees from Leeds, Hull or Doncaster available and injuries to Keelan Foster, Kevin Larroyer, Cam Berry, Mo Agoro and Mackenzie Turner, Hunslet had taken Brandon Pickersgill (Keighley) and Ant Walker (North Wales Crusaders) on loan.
It started out brightly though for Hunslet. Myles Harrop made an early break, before on 2 minutes Billy Jowitt read the play and intercepted to go 70 metres to score. 0-6 converting his own try.
Although Hunslet looked good with ball in hand Oldham’s forwards made good ground and on 7 minutes were level when Matty Ashurst stretched out of a tackle to score, Riley Dean converting his first of the day. 6-6
Hunslet had good attacking shape getting free Watson on the left, but put themselves under pressure with dropped ball and forced passes.
On 19 minutes after being held up Jaron Purcell put the hosts ahead. 12-6
Harvey Hallas stepped up with a ball steal and Hunslet found themselves in attack. Leeds Rhinos loanee Joe Butterfield was too strong for Oldham and crashed over to score. 12-12 on 27 minutes.
Hunslet were now on top and after the kick off went straight dead and some great teamwork Dan Abram put Ethan O’Hanlon over under the posts. Billy Jowitt converting 12-18 on 30 minutes.
Jack Ward and Ethan O’Hanlon were having great games and Myles Harrop as ever was an attacking threat, but Oldham squared it up on 37 minutes after Hunslet were penalised at a play the ball and Cole Geyer crashed over. 18-18 at the break.
Oldham came out fired up in the second half and only 3 minutes in after a break through the middle quick hands to the left saw Jake Bibby score. 4 minutes later, more good handling and Jack Walker was there to finish off and suddenly Oldham led 30-18 on 47 minutes.
Hunslet replied straight away when Oldham knocked-on from the kick off and Dan Abram put an inside ball to Ant Walker who crashed over. 30-24 on 50 minutes.
Now though the Hunslet forwards tired. Oldham were bringing on big experienced players and rotating the hookers, and looked dangerous down the middle.
On 55 minutes after a penalty Bayley Liu cut inside to score, and 2 minutes later Riley Dean stepped inside a tired defence. 42-24 and effectively game over.
Oldham didn’t let up and Ben Davies, Owen Farnworth and Luke Thomas added tries that were too easy, before good hands led to further scores from Ryan Lannon and Jake Bibby. Riley Dean having an excellent day with the boot landing 12 from 12 conversions.
The hosts ended the day well on top 72-24.
The fact that all Oldham’s bench scored tries shows they used the man advantage effectively and Hunslet definitely tired on around 50 minutes, but the first half performance is something to take into next week’s important League fixture at Whitehaven, where hopefully some new signings or loanees will bolster the squad.
Myles Harrop was excellent and Dan Abram put in a real shift at hooker, also Jack Ward showed some quality touches in what was a tough afternoon.
OLDHAM – Walker, Nisbet, Davies, Liu, Bibby, Dean, Drinkwater, Farnworth, Wildie, Chapelhow, Ashurst, Moore, Milner, Geyer, Purcell, Thomas, Lannon, Dixon.
HUNSLET – Pickersgill, Graham, Jowitt, Harrop, Watson, Gaskell, Ward, Hallas, Abram, Elijah Simpson, Gilmore, Carr, Battye, O’Hanlon, Butterfield, Walker.
Good work lads. We will get there! #ahaw