ROUGHYEDS ground out a hard-fought 20-8 victory over Sheffield Eagles to secure their first away win of the season.
Oldham overturned a 8-0 deficit in the second half to score 20 unanswered points in a game that was on a knife edge for the majority.
It needed all the experience of the big-game player Josh Drinkwater whose kick allowed Dixon to deliver the killer blow, against a desperate Eagles side late on.
It was a real disciplined display from Sean Long’s men who conceded just three penalties all game, with two of those coming in the first half.
The introduction of Adam Lawton off the bench and Owen Farnworth helped shift the momentum in Oldham’s favour with their huge, powerful carries hard to handle.
There was little to separate the two sides who were, on the whole, error free, but it was the Eagles who nudged themselves in front against the run of play.
Just as Oldham were shaping up a move to score on the right, Cory Aston came up with a one-on-one ball steal to pick Elijah Taylor’s pocket and offload to James Glover who ran the length of the field to put the Eagles in front.
Both Lawton and Turner went close, but it was Sheffield who increased their lead through a Cory Aston penalty when Oldham were caught offside not far off their line from a scrum.
Just before half-time, Oldham pulled one back and it was through Lawton who darted for the line like a train to bring Sheffield’s lead back to just two points.
Roughyeds started the second forty with more intent and it wasn’t long before they took the lead after catching the Eagles defenders napping.
Sheffield thought they had dealt with Drinkwater’s last play kick well, but a late Matty Wildie offload to Elijah Taylor caused chaos and it was a cool Taylor pass which allowed Drinkwater to stroll through under the posts.
There was nothing to separate either side as the game entered the final stages, but Oldham extended their lead through a Drinkwater penalty when Dixon was hit high.
Searching for an equaliser, Eagles became more desperate, but Roughyeds stayed calm and it was that coolness which Drinkwater showed in abundance when he fired an early kick to the Eagles line, pinning them in the corner.
With time running out, Dawson-Jones batted it back to keep the ball in play but didn’t notice the onrushing Dixon who pinged it forward and grounded to win the game for Roughyeds.
With key playmaker Danny Craven sidelined, Oldham understandably lacked their usual attacking flair. However, they showcased another crucial strength – the ability to grind out victories. With the 1895 Cup quarter-final fast approaching, that resilience could prove invaluable.
Sheffield: Marsh; Millar, Welham, Glover, Dawson-Jones; Aston, Walker; Broadbent, Johnson, DIckinson, Roberts, Foster, Gwaze. Subs (all used): Butterworth, Hodgson, Peachey, Matongo. 18th Man: Billy.
Oldham: Laulu-Togaga’e; Dixon, Johnson, Turner, Lowe; Wildie, Drinkwater; Dudson, Aldridge, T.Chapelhow, Ashurst, Taylor, Milner. Subs (all used): Farnworth, Moran, Lawton, J.Chapelhow. 18th Man: Baxter
Scorers: Oldham: goals, Dixon 2/2, Drinkwater 2/2; tries, Lawton, Drinkwater, Dixon
Sheffield: goals, Aston 2/2; tries, Glover
Ref: Ryan Cox; HT: 8-6, Pens: 3-7; Att: 992.
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