SHEFFIELD EAGLES 30 OLDHAM 36
DAN FOWLER, Steel City Stadium, Saturday

OLDHAM overturned a three-score deficit with a blistering second-half attacking performance to get past previously unbeaten Sheffield.

Despite a tumultuous week which saw chairman Bill Quinn lay out the club’s off-field challenges in an extensive video statement, the Roughyeds players let their actions do the talking in South Yorkshire – led by pivots Josh Drinkwater and Morgan Smith.

The opening scoring act came from the kicking tee after just two minutes, Jordan Lilley benefiting from a late shot on fellow halfback Kai Morgan with the ensuing penalty being given ten metres out from the Oldham line. Taking the two points was an easy enough decision for the hosts.

A double crisis hit the Eagles shortly after as first fullback Matty Marsh, after initially collecting a Drinkwater kick, knocked-on in pain before being helped from the field. 

The next set saw Oldham score the first try of the contest, Drinkwater putting on a step before muscling his way through to the whitewash. The former Super League playmaker converted his own score.

Sheffield hit back with a quick-fire double-salvo in the 23rd and 27th minutes – either side of a sin-binning for Ted Chapelhow, who hit Joel Farrell late. 

The first of the two scores went to Harry Bowes as the hooker burrowed his way over, before George Griffin extended his red-hot form and Lilley converted both efforts for a two-score lead at 14-6.

With six minutes left of the half, Will Oakes provided a moment of magic for the Eagles as a magnificent run – bouncing off a number of defenders – set up Billy Walkley’s first try of the day, also converted by Lilley.

The start of the Oldham comeback came on the stroke of half-time, Smith bouncing off a tackle before sending over a deft kick for fellow ex-Eagle Bayley Liu to score. 

Drinkwater struck wide with the conversion, making it 20-10 to Sheffield at the break.

Oldham continued their fightback on 43 minutes when a last-tackle grubber kick was collected by Brad Day for an easy put-down. Once again, Drinkwater couldn’t add the extras as six points remained the difference. 

Consistent six-again calls for the visitors were frustrating the Eagles players and fans alike and referee Tara Jones had no choice but to show a yellow card to Martyn Reilly on 54 minutes, a result of the persistent offending.

From the following set, Matty Ashurst strolled over and Drinkwater’s conversion levelled the scores at 20-20. 

Two more Oldham tries in four minutes put them in the driving seat, Smith with swift feet getting the go-ahead score before Cole Geyer sneaked over soon after.

More twists and turns followed as Sheffield, somehow, got to level pegging – as well as having a man advantage – with eight minutes remaining. An acrobatic Walkley effort completed his brace prior to Oldham’s second yellow of the day, this one to Ashurst, also for persistent offending by his team. 

The equalising score came from Griffin – his fourth in two games – and it was all to play for in the dying embers.

A Smith field-goal attempt proved fruitless but the visitors were soon celebrating as Ryan Lannon made the most of tiring Eagles defence, streaking away from 25 metres out to secure a big victory for the Roughyeds.

GAMESTAR: Morgan Smith was dangerous for Oldham, keeping the Eagles defenders on their toes at all times.

GAMEBREAKER: Ryan Lannon’s try two minutes from time gave the Roughyeds a valuable victory.

MATCHFACTS

EAGLES
1 Matty Marsh
2 Joe Brown
19 Will Oakes
3 Josh Hodson
5 Billy Walkley
6 Kai Morgan
7 Jordan Lilley
22 Masi Matongo
17 Harry Bowes
10 Martyn Reilly
11 Connor Bower
12 Joel Farrell
15 George Griffin
Subs (all used)
9 Corey Johnson
13 Jack Bussey
16 Blake Broadbent
18 Lennie Ellis

Tries: Bowes (23), Griffin (27, 72), Walkley (34, 66)
Goals: Lilley 5/6
Sin bin: Reilly (54) – repeated team offences

OLDHAM
1 Jack Walker
21 Tom Nisbet
4 Ben Davies
27 Bayley Liu
5 Jake Bibby
6 Morgan Smith
23 Josh Drinkwater
28 Tom McKinney
9 Matty Wildie
10 Owen Farnworth
11 Matty Ashurst
26 Brad Day
15 Ted Chapelhow
Subs (all used)
12 Ryan Lannon
13 Adam Milner
14 Cole Geyer
18 Jaron Purcell

Tries: Drinkwater (10), Liu (40), Day (43), Ashurst (55), Smith (59), Geyer (63), Lannon (78)
Goals: Drinkwater 4/7
Sin bin: Chapelhow (25) – late tackle, Ashurst (70) – repeated team offences

SCORING SEQUENCE: 2-0, 2-6, 8-6, 14-6, 20-6, 20-10; 20-14, 20-20, 20-24, 20-30, 24-30, 30-30, 30-36

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Eagles: George Griffin; Oldham: Morgan Smith

Penalty count: 8-8
Half-time: 20-10
Referee: Tara Jones
Attendance: 813