Roughyeds claim Law Cup glory as Hornets lose players

OLDHAM have extended their good run of form away to local rivals Rochdale, securing the return of the Law Cup in the process.

Roughyeds battled to a 28-24 victory at the Crown Oil Arena in the annual pre-season clash between the two sides.

Scott Naylor’s team took the lead inside the first five minutes through new recruit Matt Reid, before Ben Moores responded for Hornets and Gary Middlehurst touched down to give the home team the lead.

Former Rochdale favourite Paul Crook nudged Oldham in front again with a pair of penalties, before Reid grabbed his second.

Late tries from Luke Adamson and Blake Turner closed the gap, but another Crook penalty sealed the victory for the visitors.

Prior to the match, Hornets boss Alan Kilshaw moved to ease concerns over the club’s financial security.

“Reports of our death are a little bit exaggerated,” he noted, indicating that a deal has been agreed for most players and staff to take a pay cut in order to prevent the club encountering a budget deficit.

“We had a difficult week last week, but all credit to the players and the support staff they came up with a resolution and the players have been really mature about it.”

Kilshaw did concede, however, that one or two members of his playing squad may now move on ahead of the start of the Championship season.

“Unfortunately we’re going to lose a couple of players, but no more than that,” he said. “It may leave us a little bit skinny, but it could have been a lot worse than it is.”