Workington Town served up their worst performance of the season by a distance in a a 74-4 Championship defeat to Oldham at Stalybridge.
They were outgunned from the start by an Oldham side who had put 70 points on Hunslet last week, when Town had no fixture.
The Roughyeds’ side included several players with Super League experience, notably former Wakefield man Adam Milner, ex-Warrington and Catalans star Josh Drinkwater and Salford Red Devils (now Salford RLFC) star Jack Walker.
The day hadn’t started well as a broken down bus saw the supporters making their way in cars, as the team took the only available bus.
The game started in confusing circumstances for Town when the football markings caught out Jake Carter and from the resulting set Oldham were awarded a six again and a penalty, from which Keiran Dixon scored the opening try on three minutes. Reilly Dean converted.
When Oldham forced a second drop-out Dixon’s electric pace was once again the key as he outstripped the Town defence for his second try, again converted by Dean.
Town were kept under the pump when referee Luke Bland awarded the hosts a penalty five meters and Oldham duly took advantage in the baking heat with Dean going over near the posts, and he added the extras.
It was 18-0 with only 15 minutes on the clock and that was soon to increase as Jaron Purcell linked up superbly with Ted Chapelhow to score beside the posts allowing Dean another simple conversion.
Town just couldn’t get hold of the ball and Oldham scored their fifth try inside 20 minutes as former Sheffield Eagles star Bailey Liu crashed over despite Callum Phillips’ best efforts. Dean was on target again to stretch the lead to 30-0.
The referee then awarded Town two penalties which helped them work their way down the pitch and provide them with their only real attacking set of the half.
Dominic Wear forced a drop-out and it led to their only score as Rio Corkill went over for an unconverted try.
Oldham restored their 30 point lead when Matty Ashurst was the beneficiary of what looked like a huge forward pass from Drinkwater to go over. Dean converted.
There was still more to come before the break and it was Dean who went over for his second try but failed for the first time with his conversion attempt.
Town did almost get back on the scoreboard as good runs from Grant Reid laid a platform for Guy Graham, but the Scottish international was held up.
There was still more pain for Town before the welcome hooter as Dean went over to complete his hat-trick and give the home side a 46-4 lead at the break.
The second half started better for Town as Lannon knocked on on from the first tackle and there seemed to be more physicality and commitment about their play.
But on 55 minutes it was Oldham who broke the deadlock when Ewan Moore touched down following a lovely Drinkwater kick to take the Roughyeds to 50 and beyond with Dean’s conversion.
Ten minutes later they were in again when a huge step from Bailey Liu sent him past three Town defenders to score and Dean converted.
Oldham went straight back again to score two minutes later when Luke Forber, signed from financially embarrassed North Wales Crusaders, leapt highest to catch a Drinkwater kick and Dean converted again.
On 70 minutes the try of the game came when Oldham ran the virtual length of the pitch for Moore to score wide out and Dean missed the kick.
Oldham went past the 70-point mark two minutes from the end when Sam Littler crashed over under the posts and Matty Ashurst celebrated his 400th career appearance by kicking the conversion.
- Town MOM: Guy Graham
- Attendance: 790
