Match Report: Oldham RLFC

London Broncos 25 - 08 Oldham RLFC

London Broncos and Oldham Roughyeds produced a competitive and engaging contest, with the hosts eventually pulling clear for a 25–8 win. While London led for most of the game, the scoreline only became decisive in the final quarter, after a sustained challenge from Oldham.

London opened with early attacking intent, sparked by a 40–20 from Dean Hawkins followed by a penalty, though they were unable to convert the pressure into points. When Oldham gained possession, they responded well, matching London physically and territorially. Handling proved difficult on a damp surface, and London knocked on twice in the opening six minutes.

Both sides used kicks in play creatively, though defences dealt effectively with most efforts. One exception came from a Riley Dean kick that forced London to concede a goal-line drop-out and led to the opening points. Former Bronco Kieran Dixon kicked a 30-metre penalty after a late tackle, putting Oldham ahead. Dixon was a consistent influence throughout the match.

London responded quickly with the game’s first try. Oldham were unable to build pressure from the restart and conceded a penalty, allowing London to capitalise on improved field position. A long pass from Jimmy Meadows was finished strongly by Alex Max, although Meadows was unable to convert.

Soon after, Dixon was tackled by three London defenders and forced back over his own line. The referee had already called ‘held’, resulting in a penalty to Oldham, a decision that surprised the home side. The timing of the call was marginal, but had Dixon been grounded short of the line, no infringement would have occurred.

In the 32nd minute, a Hawkins grubber led to London’s second try. The ball took an awkward bounce, evading Dixon, and Reagan Campbell-Gillard grounded under pressure. Gairo Voro converted from in front to extend the lead.

Jack Croft later appeared to break clear for Oldham, but play was halted for a forward pass. Both teams created late first-half opportunities, though neither could turn possession into points before the interval.

Oldham began the second half with renewed intensity and were rewarded after 45 minutes when Cole Geyer broke through a defensive gap to score. The try followed an extended period of pressure, including multiple six-again calls and a penalty. Dixon converted to reduce the deficit to two points.

Moments later, Jake Bibby attempted a grubber kick close to London’s line, but an unpredictable bounce sent the ball into touch in goal. A disagreement between officials was resolved in London’s favour, resulting in a seven-tackle set.

London’s next try came after an attempted interception fell short. Connor O’Beirne’s pass was touched by an Oldham defender but reached Robert Mathias, who finished well. Voro missed the conversion, keeping the margin narrow at six points.

Mathias soon crossed again, but the try was disallowed for a forward pass. Oldham then successfully intercepted near London’s line and created a prime scoring opportunity, though London’s defence held firm.

The decisive moment came in the 66th minute. An interception by Liam Tindall halted a likely Oldham scoring chance and turned defence into attack, with Tindall racing 85 metres to score. Voro’s conversion attempt struck the post.

Despite fatigue, both sides defended resolutely in the closing stages. London were denied further scores, while Oldham’s Harvey Makin was held up by a four-man tackle.

With two minutes remaining, Finley Glare exploited a lapse in Oldham’s defensive organisation from dummy half, sprinting through to score beside the posts. Jack Croft converted.

There was still time for one final play, and Dean Hawkins closed the scoring with a 35-metre drop goal as the siren approached.

London Broncos: 1 Morea Morea, 5 Liam Tindall, 3 Robert Mathias, 4 Alex Max, 2 Elliot Wallis, 7 Dean Hawkins, 23 Gairo Voro, 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 18 Jimmy Meadows, 16 Epel Kapinias, 11 Luke Smith, 12 Jack Croft, 15 Sadiq Adebiyi. Replacements: 6 Connor O’Beirne, 10 Emely Bitungane, 14 Finley Glare,  24 Lewis Bienek. 18th man:17 Marcus Stock.

Tries: Max 22, Campbell-Gillard 32, Mathias 53, Tindall 66, Glare 79

Goals: Voro 1/3, Croft 1/1, Meadows 0/1

DG: Hawkins 80

Sin-bin: None

Oldham Roughyeds: 2 Kieran Dixon, 21 Tom Nisbet, 3 Ben O’Keefe, 4 Ben Davies, 5 Jake Bibby, 7 Riley Dean, 23 Josh Drinkwater, 8 Jack Ormondroyd, 13 Adam Milner, 10 Owen Farnworth, 11 Matty Ashurst, 12 Ryan Lannon, 18 Jaron Parcell. Replacements: 14 Cole Geyer, 15 Ted Chapelhow, – Ewan Moore, 19 Harvey Makin. 18th man: 17 Emmanuel Waine.

Tries: Geyer 45

Goals: Dixon 2/2

DG: None

Sin-bin: None

Referee: Matty Lynn

HT: 10–2

Penalty awarded count: 9–7

Attendance: 2,330