Leaders York strike late to deny gutsy Oldham
Oldham Roughyeds put up a strong fight against Championship leaders York Knights but ultimately lost 24-16 due to two late tries from York. Despite an early injury to captain Matty Wildie, Oldham overcame a 10-0 deficit to lead 16-12 before York's late surge. Coach Sean Long praised the team's resilience but lamented missed opportunities, including a crucial dropped ball that could have extended their lead. Oldham remains fourth in the league but their lead over fifth-place Featherstone is now just two points.
York Knights scored two tries in the closing minutes to snatch a 24-16 victory over Oldham and deny the visitors what would have been a famous upset at the top of the Betfred Championship.
Oldham, who lost captain Matty Wildie to a head knock in the opening minute, clawed back from 10-0 down to lead 16-12 with 15 minutes left after Kieran Dixon’s converted try completed a spirited fight-back.
Head coach Sean Long said his side “emptied the tank” and praised their refusal to fold against the league leaders.
”We came out second half and we were flying,” Long told Roughyeds TV.
”There’s plenty of fight in this team and we will be back to go again next week against Barrow.”
The turning point arrived when centre Ben Davies spilled Josh Drinkwater’s grubber with the line open; York punished the miss with four consecutive sets on the Oldham line, Jesse Dee crashing over and Paul McShane’s conversion edging the hosts 18-16 ahead.
Oliver Field then sealed the win after Oldham were ruled to have lost possession from a scrum.
Long admitted the defeat “hurts” but insisted the performance offers encouragement for the run-in.
”If we can bottle that up then we will have a really good run at it for the end of this season,” he said.
Oldham remain fourth, their cushion over Featherstone trimmed to two points, and will assess tight calves picked up by Elijah Taylor and George Hirst before Sunday’s home game against Barrow.
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