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Gateshead T 32 - 18 Oldham

11/ 6/2008

A FINAL score of 32-18 in Gateshead’s favour fairly summed up a game in which the hosts were the best drilled side that Oldham have faced this season.

Thunder’s good defensive line and varied kicking game dovetailed nicely with their ability to break down Oldham’s suspect defence at will.

Errors from the Roughyeds meant that by full-time, the home side were 10 points clear of Oldham in the battle for automatic promotion as they prevented the visitors from securing a bonus point.

It took Gateshead six minutes of pressure before centre Kevin Neighbour crossed following Tabuanitoga Cakacaka’s short pass, Dan Russell converting, before Oldham levelled when Danny Halliwell did well to cross wide out for a try goaled by Mick Nanyn.

Neighbour then went over for his second try, direct from a scrum, and saw Russell convert before Oldham replied when Halliwell’s beautiful pass allowed Said Tamghart to blast his way over, only for Nanyn to surprisingly miss the goal.

While Oldham generally competed well during the first half, good play from the outstanding Stuart Kain put Stewart Sanderson in for a try as Thunder built a 16-12 lead.

Following the interval, further Gateshead pressure brought a penalty kicked by Russell before Oldham levelled at 18-18 when Phil Joseph crossed from close range for a try goaled by Nanyn.

Playing with abundant enthusiasm, Gateshead went back in front as Dylan Nash went over for a converted try before another penalty extended their advantage.

A terrible mistake from Nanyn then allowed Sanderson to hack the ball upfield and touch down before another penalty allowed the home side to end the scoring.

While accepting that injuries and tiredness after Sunday's Carnegie Challenge Cup tie at Wakefield played their part in defeat, Oldham coach Steve Deakin must be worried at Oldham's inability to play to their potential as well as their increasingly fragile defence. With the calibre of players in their squad, Oldham are definitely under-performing and promotion is fast becoming a major doubt.

Gateshead: Kain, Peers, Neighbour, McAlpine, Sanderson, Thorman, Russell, Payne, Smith, Cakacaka, Nash, Knowles, Jameson. Subs (all used): Clarke, McPhail, Suka, Barron.
Tries: Neighbour, Sanderson (two each), Nash.
Goals: Russell (six).

Oldham: O'Connor, Langley, Halliwell, Nanyn, St Hilaire, Roden, Coyle, Boults, Hoyle, Mervill, Goulden, Roberts, Joseph. Subs (all used): Brooks, Robinson, Baldwin, Tamghart.
Tries: Halliwell, Tamghart, Joseph.
Goals: Nanyn (three).

Attendance: 323.