Oldham are made to graft up the slope, but have difficulty in converting pressure into points due to excellent defence and again a lack of desire to take the easy points as Barrow offer no fewer than 3 easily kickable penalties. Holt was controlling the game behind a decent pack of forwards and regularly kicked on 3, pinning Oldham's attack in our own half. Andy Ballard in fluorescent boots, made a couple of decisive runs, the second of which followed a gang tackle by Oldham. Quick play the ball and off he goes with the excellent Harrison in support as he scores a well worked try. Holt calmly strokes the ball between the "H's" and Barrow lead by 12 points after 29minutes.
More pressure from Oldham now, with more penal;ties conceded by Barrow. Frustration for Oldham as each run of the ball was impeded by excellent defence by the Raiders and the Roughyeds were continually kept at bay. To rub salt into the wounds, Barrow receive a penalty in front of the posts and extend the lead to 14 points.
Robbo, Lucas, Greenwood and Elli put Barrow under pressure. Will the defence break? Whitty's chip is easily gatherd and Barrow attack again. Poor discipline by Barrow is becoming a feature of the game. Oldham have ball back and knock on on 2. Oldham again pinned back in our half. Oldham attack up the slope with up the jumper rugby. Not pretty, but sustained pressure now makes cracks in the defence visible as Elli is held short. Dally weaves his magic, and on the second attempt, makes the most of his unpredictable run and off loads the ball into the eager arms of young Thommo as he bursts through for the Roughyeds first try. What a good lad this Thommo is!! Dally turns from the ball as it sails through the posts and the hooter sounds the end to a very tough half. Roughyeds 6 - Raiders 14.
Second half begins, and Oldham score and game on!! Barrow score and daylight bewteen the two sides. Tony Benson's half time chat must have worked wonders as the Roughyeds overcame a 14 point deficit to score 26 unanswered points based on a virtually mistake free half concedeing only one penalty on the way. How timely was the score on the stroke of half time?
Playing downhill, Oldham's game gained momentum and it was Barrows turn to feel the heat and be forced to make the hard metres up the hill. Terrific Oldham pressure force two drop outs. A further penalty to Oldham in front of the posts. DId Oldham sense fatigue in the opposition defence? Opting to run, and following excellent work by Clough and Thommo we see Nooney in the right channel score a well deserved try for his efforts during the afternoon. Dally just wide with the score now 10 - 14. Game on as Oldham sense the tide has definitely turned.
Oldham put Barrow under the cosh, as Lucas, Dally, Nooney, Syron, Valu and Elli punch holes in the defensive wall. Drop out 3 by Barrow, more heat, more pressure. Another drop out!! Could Barrow hold out? Whitty attacks, Dogger chips and we are back to 6 tackles again. Nooney sees opening right and attacks. Dally weves his magic again and Foggy is on hand to finish off another well worked try. 14 - 14 and Dally adds the 2. 16 - 14 and in front for the first time as we start the last quarter.
Oldhaam's fitness shows as they continue to squeeze the Barrow defence. Whitty teases the defence, offers the ball, hits the gap 60m out and Miles Greenwood is on his shoulder. With only a defender to beat, Whitty times the pass and Greenwood has a clear sprint for the line. Superb try!!! Dally adds 2 and the score is 22 - 14.
With just 10 minutes remaining, we know that Barrow will not lie down. But chasing the game they are forced time and time again into further errors and indiscipline. Two penalties in front of the posts are now taken by Dally and the game is put to bed with the final score of 26 - 14.
The score on the half time hooter and an excellent second half display of discipline and good support play ensured that Oldham are included in the bag for the next round draw. Well done to Tony B and all of the lads. Good to see Valu back in action as he and Boultsy also took it in turns to punch holes in the defence.
Edited by TBozz, 16 April 2012 - 12:14 PM.
