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Barrow Raiders 32 - 12 Oldham

16/ 7/2008

FURTHER injuries and a poor overall performance saw an already under-strength Oldham side slump to a heavy defeat at leaders Barrow last Friday.

Few positives emerged for coach Steve Deakin to look back on, although Oldham could not be faulted for their effort and commitment with Ian Hodson and Matty Brooks outstanding.

However, they were beaten by an enthusiastic Barrow side who had the game’s stand-out player in loose forward Dave Armistead, and whose simple game plan saw their forwards on top after the first quarter with the backs capitalising on a series of unforced errors.

Barrow opened the scoring with an early penalty before Oldham replied with a good try as Neil Roden fed Hodson who, despite seeming to have little chance, shrugged off two attempted tackles for a try that was converted by Mick Nanyn.

This was Oldham’s best period of play as they managed a spell of pressure on the Barrow line, albeit without the cutting edge to convert it into points.

Barrow began to dominate, Armistead becoming involved in everything, so it was no surprise when Adam Hughes kept the ball in play and James Nixon went through a three-man tackle to score with Darren Holt converting.

A further soft penalty for holding down then saw Barrow ahead 10-6 at the interval.

Although dominated by the home side in the later stages, Oldham were still in the game at the start of the second half.

James Coyle’s kick to the corner looked dangerous, but Mike Backhouse collected the ball and evaded Lucas Onyango before sprinting 30 metres and handing the ball to Liam Harrison for a brilliant length-of-the-field try.

Continuous pressure from the Raiders saw Gareth Langley fumble the ball over the line, the resultant scrum seeing Holt dummy his way over for the first of his two tries.

It was one-way traffic by now, and after Holt’s second score, Hughes profited from slack defending to cross.

Coyle reduced the deficit in the dying seconds when he dropped on the ball after his chip through had struck the post, Nanyn’s conversion producing a final scoreline that flattered the Roughyeds.