Oldham edge out Rochdale to win the Law Cup
Oldham Roughyeds secured their first win of 2025 by defeating local rivals Rochdale Hornets 16-14 in the Law Cup at Boundary Park. Key tries from Logan Astley, Cian Tyrer, and Kieran Dixon, along with strong performances from debutant Marcus Geener and the pack, helped Oldham edge out Rochdale despite a spirited comeback attempt.
Oldham Roughyeds 16, Rochdale Hornets 14
Logan Astley, Cian Tyrer and Kieran Dixon crossed the whitewash on a freezing Wednesday night at Boundary Park to deliver Oldham their first victory of 2025 and reclaim the Law Cup from neighbours Rochdale.
The Roughyeds surged 10-0 ahead inside 20 minutes through Astley’s dart from dummy-half and Tyrer’s finish in the left corner after a Riley Dean special, but Rochdale clawed back to 10-10 when Myles-Dalton Harrop and former Oldham prop Jordan Andrade dotted down either side of the break.
Dixon settled the derby six minutes after entering the fray, slicing through the Hornets’ line from 30 metres and converting his own try for a 16-10 lead that survived Luke Forber’s late effort in the corner.
“It absolutely flew by and I am happy with everything,” said Waterhead teenager Marcus Geener, who marked his debut with 50 energetic minutes and almost claimed a try of his own. “To win it against Rochdale as an Oldham lad is great. I was confident and knew if I got my chance I would do well and I think I did well.”
Coach Sean Long, already without captain Jordan Turner and Lewis Baxter after hamstring pulls against Wigan, lost Astley to a calf strain late on and must reassess both before Sunday’s Challenge Cup opener against Rochdale Mayfield, again at Boundary Park, kick-off 12:30 pm.
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