Oldham beat Newcastle in play-off final

OLDHAM will be back in the Betfred Championship next year after securing promotion with an 18-14 victory over Newcastle Thunder in the League 1 Playoff Final.

Roughyeds ensured departing coach Scott Naylor’s eight-year tenure at the club ended on a high with a hard-fought win at the Vestacare Stadium.

It was the visitors that opened the scoring through former NRL star Misi Taulapapa, but an error on the subsequent set allowed Oldham to hit back immediately when Danny Langtree touched down Dave Hewitt’s clever short kick towards the posts.

The home side took a 6-4 lead into the break, but were trailing once more soon after half-time when Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e excellently made the space for Joel Edwards to score.

However, another handling error on the first set after points saw Zak McComb put Oldham back in front and Paul Crook’s magnificent touchline conversion defied the blustery conditions to extend his side’s advantage to four.

This time, it was Thunder who went straight up the other end to score, Taulapapa grabbing his second when Roughyeds allowed a high kick to bounce and be tapped back inside superbly by Tyler Craig.

An excellent break from deep by Kyran Johnson established the position from which Oldham would score what proved to be the winning try, Jimmy Beckett outpacing his opposite number to race in next to the sticks.

In the closing stages an interception from Dec Kay and try-saving tackle by Johnson ensured Roughyeds will be competing in the second tier next season.