OLDHAM secured their third clean sheet of the year, and their second in as many games, as they defeated Cornwall 42-0 at the Memorial Ground, writes Kasey Smith.
Cornwall - much like in the reverse fixture last month - made Roughyeds work hard for the win but, ultimately, Oldham’s quality prevailed.
Just after the 50th minute Oldham sparked into life, scoring five tries in a swashbuckling fifteen-minute period, with Cornwall rocked.
Full-back Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, a real asset to this Oldham side, was as elusive as ever and proved a real threat going forward.
George Hirst, off the bench, impressed once again with uncompromising strong carries which allowed Oldham the platform to rack up six tries in the second forty.
The Choughs were effective at disrupting Oldham’s play in the first half with good scrambling defence, as well as players quick off their line which nullified Roughyeds somewhat.
Back-to-back penalties inside 10 minutes nearly saw Cornwall open the scoring but the referee ruled the try out, with Aaron Small guilty of a knock-on.
Cornwall kept asking questions of the Oldham defence and forced two goal-line drop-outs in the next period, but Oldham stood firm.
A ball steal helped shift the momentum in Roughyeds’ favour with Cian Tyrer scoring in the left corner, direct from a scrum, after being played in by a delayed Jordan Turner pass.
Brad Gallagher doubled Oldham’s score moments later by outstretching an arm to ground the ball, just before he was tackled.
Mo Agoro got Oldham’s third try when he ran 20 metres on the right edge to dive over after some slick play by PLT who provided the pass.
Right after the break, Oldham forced Cornwall into touch deep in their own half, which set the tone for a dominant second half.
Then, Cian Tyrer made a break down the left and offloaded to Logan Astley who was allowed to stroll under the posts which made it 18-0, with the Choughs caught out.
Agoro used his pace to full effect when he dived over in the right corner for another directly from a scrum, as Oldham exerted their dominance.
The tries were rolling in, and next up it was the captain Turner who pounced on a loose ball to make it 28-0 on the hour-mark.
Barely a minute passed and Oldham scored again, this time it was Adam Lawton who powered his way over to score.
Lawton scored again after Matty Wildie provided a short drop-off pass which allowed the powerful second-rower to bulldoze his way to his second try of the afternoon and his 11th in 12 games.
Towards the end, there was a moment of madness from both sides when Agoro was forcefully pushed into touch and a fracas ensued.
The result of the confrontation was a sin-bin for Agoro and Cornwall’s Nathan Cullen, with Luke Collins seeing red.
Right before the hooter, after withstanding some late Cornwall pressure, Cian Tyrer got his 16th of the season with the Choughs dead and buried.
It was another commanding win for Oldham, despite not being at their best, but they will be looking for an improvement next week against Keighley who are a different beast.
Scorers: Oldham: goals Tyrer 0/2, Craven 0/1, Astley 3/6; tries, Tyrer x2, Gallagher, Agoro x2, Astley, Turner, Lawton x2,
Cornwall: Rusling; Nichol, Small, Marvin, Mitchell; Conroy, Black; Rhodes, Collins, Boots, Cullen, Simpson, Lloyd. Subs: Weetman, Bannister, Boardman, Mkuhlani (all used). 18th Man: Abbott
Oldham: Laulu-Togaga’e; Agoro, Jack Johnson, Turner, Tyrer; Craven, Astley; Farnworth, Wildie, J.Chapelhow, Gallagher, Lawton, Taylor. Subs: Aldridge, T.Chapelow, Josh Johnson, Hirst. 18th Man: Turner
Referee: Denton Arnold; HT: 0-12; Pens: 5-2
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