Oldham Roughyeds 6 St Helens 40

The Roughyeds took on Super League giants St Helens in this 4th round Challenge Cup tie. ORLFC had been forced to switch the game from Hurst Cross to Bower Fold, home of non-league football side Stalybridge Celtic, to accomodate the number of fans who wanted to see the match.

Inspired by a hat trick of tries from Keiron Cunningham, the Saints marched on to the fifth round of the Challenge Cup thanks to a hard fought 40-6 victory over the Oldham Roughyeds here at Bower Fold.

However, whilst the reigning cup holders had too much class and never looked anything other than comfortable, the score fails to adequately reflect the contribution made to the game by the Northern Ford Premiership outfit who gave their Super League counterparts a thorough workout.

Despite a bright start from the hosts, it was St Helens who struck first on 14 minutes as Wellens went in for a converted score under the posts thanks to a Hoppe break and a Joynt final looping pass.

Minutes later, the visitors went further ahead as Cunningham crashed over from acting halfback for an opportunists score in the right corner. Long failed to convert, but with a 10 point advantage the floodgates looked in danger of being opened.

The Roughyeds then regained their composure and settled down to enjoy their best spell of the game. However, the Saints defence stood up to the test as they posted the next score somewhat against the run of play. That score came courtesy of substitute Jonkers who dived over for a converted score in the right corner.

However, Oldham then hit back with a bizarre score just before half time. David Gibbons kicked through a loose ball and, as St Helens failed to recover the ball, Sibson hacked the ball straight into the arms of Gibbons who outpaced the covering defence to race in for a try to the right of the posts. John Braddish converted to take the Roughyeds in at the break with the score at 6-16. St Helens showed their intent immediately following the restart and, just 4 minutes into the half, Cunningham poached his second converted try of the game to give his side a more comfortable looking 22-6 lead. Indeed, on 53 mins, that lead was extended as Long darted through the defensive line to power his way over under the posts. Minutes later, some crisp handling from the visitors created an overlap as Stewart went over in the left hand corner. Long failed to add the extras but, with a convincing 30-6 advantage, the cup holders were effectively home and dry. Two late tries from Hoppe and Cunningham, the latter completing his hat trick, sealed the victory and eased the Saints one step further to Murrayfield. However, new Roughyeds boss John Harbin can be justifiably proud of his sides contribution to an entertaining game.

Oldham's Man of the Match
Jason Clegg

Moan of the Match
The St Helens players were able to change shirts at half-time, but the Roughyeds had to keep their wet muddy shirts on ! Surely ORLFC can afford two sets of shirts ?