ROUGHYEDS edged a step closer to clinching the League One trophy after a comprehensive 32-0 victory over Midlands Hurricanes, writes Kasey Smith.

The win maintains a three point lead in first and, if Oldham beat Newcastle next week, they could be crowned champions if they defeat Keighley at Cougar Park in a fortnight.

However, Sean Long’s men are refusing to get carried away and Sunday’s solid performance was evidence of that.

Long and his coaching staff made a huge point of not underestimating Hurricanes, citing their 100+ points difference going into the game – and it clearly paid off.

Minutes before kick-off, Craig Kopczak was drafted into a starting spot after Elijah Taylor dropped out during the warm-up, meaning Adam Lawton was promoted onto the bench – earlier than expected – for his first action since snapping his tibia at the end of May.

After just 10 minutes, new half-back Riley Dean was also forced off with what looked like a nasty leg injury, but Oldham were not derailed.

In the dangerous areas, Oldham’s flair players really came to life with full-back Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e a real thorn in the Midlands side.

A swift advance to the line from PLT forced the Hurricanes’ defenders to retreat, which opened the space for captain Jordan Turner to charge through and score within the first 10 minutes.

The nippy full-back was heavily involved once again, using that deadly pace to the fullest extent when he brushed off several hapless Midlands tacklers to dart through a gap and double Oldham’s score.

Agoro then got in on the act, after he used his quick feet to gallop through on the right corner for Oldham’s third.

Just before half-time, Astley eased past Davey Dixon and Jake Sweeting to ground from close range to make it 22-0 at the break.

Roughyeds continued to ask questions of the Midlands defence in the second half, and they found another when Kieran Dixon leaped high to catch and ground Astley’s swinging, diagonal kick with defender Nakoronivalu nowhere near it.

A delayed Pat Moran pass had Midlands flying off their line as they attempted to wrap-up recipient Jack Johnson who then deftly offloaded to Wildie who strolled through the gap for Oldham’s sixth.

Midlands responded with a late flurry with Oldham having to deal with yet more injuries to both Brad Gallagher and Adam Sidlow.

Hurricanes did cross the line through Sully Medforth but the try was ruled out for a forward pack, which kept Oldham’s clean sheet intact – one that was well deserved, especially given the amount of reshuffling Sean Long was forced to do.

Oldham: goals, Dixon 4/6; tries, Turner, Laulu-Togaga’e, Agoro, Astley, Dixon, Wildie

TEAMS:

OLDHAM: Laulu-Togaga’e; Agoro, Jack Johnson, J.Turner, Dixon; Dean, Astley; Farnworth, Wildie, J.Chapelhow, Taylor, Gallagher, Moran. Subs: Aldridge, T.Chapelhow, Kopczak, Sidlow (all used). 18th man: Lawton.

MIDLANDS: Horner; Nakoronivalu, Johnson, Dixon,Chrimes; Sweeting, Medforth; Kirby, Barcode, Bowring, Wilkinson, WIllis, Clavering. Subs: Armstrong, Kenga, Moran, Peachey (all used). 18th man: Cullimore.

Ref: Warren Turley; HT: 22-0; Pens: 8-4; Att: 1,582