Oldham win Law Cup

Despite a late fightback by hosts Rochdale Hornets, Oldham came from as 12-4 deficit midway through the first half to claim the Law Cup in a thrill a minute game.

New signing Matty Reid drew first blood after four minutes before Ben Moores responded. Gary Middlehurst turned from provider to scorer after 26 minutes with Lewis Palfrey’s second goal opening the 12-4 advantage.

Oldham kept plugging away and responded five minutes later with a try by trialist Chris Barlow which Hornets record point scorer Paul Crook, now of Oldham, goaled from the touchline to make it 12-10 at half-time.

In the second half, two penalties nudged Oldham in front before a superb move down the left saw David Hewitt and Danny Bridge combine for Reid to show speed and good finishing prowess for his second try of the game. Crook converted but Rochdale struck again when Hewitt saw his attempted clearance kick charged down and Luke Adamson judged the bounce perfectly to go over. Palfrey converted before the crucial try went Oldham’s way.

Paul Crook nudged a grubber kick to the goal line and the otherwise impressive Declan Kay lost the ball under pressure with a whole melee of Oldham players ready to pounce. Steven Neild was the first to react and Crook’s fifth goal made it 18-26 to the visitors.

Another indiscretion by Hornets saw Crook complete his six goal haul from the resultant penalty but there was more late drama when Blake Turner crashed through next to the posts and Palfrey added his fourth goal of the game. It didn’t quite prove enough for Rochdale and Oldham lifted the Law Cup at the final whistle with a 28-24 success.

Love Rugby League carried commentary on the game; captured via the live audio feature on our facebook page.