MATCH REPORT: Oldham RLFC 50-6 London Broncos

MATCH REPORT: Oldham RLFC 50-6 London Broncos

The Broncos returned to league action for the first time in a month with a trip to Oldham and were on the end of a heavy defeat.

It’s an afternoon which may cost more than just a result as Mike Eccles' threadbare squad endured a number of injuries which could have a knock on effect on the weeks ahead.

Connor O’Beirne missed out through injury which allowed an opportunity for academy graduate Jenson Binks to be handed his first-team debut. Despite the difficult circumstances the 20-year-old showed up well with a number of impressive contributions. Broncos started the game in the worst possible fashion and conceded two tries within the first ten minutes. A combination of a slow start from the visitors but Oldham showing an impressive response to a couple of poor results in recent weeks. The start was compounded when Lewis Bienek had to come off for a HIA. An assessment he would fail and the Broncos were without a key man for the rest of the game.

The Broncos would however settle and begin to show some defensive stability and a threat on the break. In fact the Broncos would complete more sets in the opening 40 and have more possession which made the slow start even more frustrating. A spell of pressure from around 15 minutes would eventually pay dividends as Adebiyi would find a great line to charge through and deduce the deficit. Hellec would then slot through a fantastic conversion from the touchline to bring the score to 10-6.

Broncos were wasteful in attack and despite creating a number of good attacking positions the final decisions were questionable and they were to pay for it before the halftime break. It was Oldham’s best try of the opening half as Drinkwater collected an offload five metres out to run through and score. He duly converted his try and it was 16-6 at the break.

There was confidence within the Broncos camp that a strong start to the second half and the game could still be there for the win. Whilst no early tries were conceded what was also apparent was that Oldham were on form and defensively were giving very little away and perhaps confidence in the Broncos began to dissipate.

Lukas Mason was then next to go down for Broncos with what appeared to be a headknock. He would come off and not return to the field. Another blow for the visitors who had to reshuffle the pack again. A few moments later Oldham and Jordan Turner would score again and the score was 20-6.

With twenty minutes to go it felt that the next score was vital. Had it been Broncos with the score then it would have set up a grandstand finish but unfortunately it was the home side who again scored and the points now look certain to be staying in Oldham. Pat Moran with the try and Drinkwater with the conversion. 26-6.

There were a lot of tired bodies at this stage with the players having to complete extra minutes and the scoreline would continue to rise for Oldham as Turner scored again and Drinkwater kicked the conversion. But it was the delay in play after as Broncos dealt with another injury, this time to Walker, who was replaced by Davies and Polselli moved into fullback. 32-6.

The final 10 minutes were a procession as Ashurst, Lawton and Phoenix would all score and rub salt in the wounds and the score would finish Oldham 50-6 Broncos.

It is a big week ahead now as wounds need to be licked and preparation turned quickly to a home game against Hunslet who are still searching for their first league win of the season.

BRONCOS: Walker, Thewlis, Small, Hellec, Tindall, Binks, Polselli, Stock, Davies, Bienek, Lovell, Adebiyi and Kerr. INTERCHANGES: Monk, Worthington, McDermott and Mason. 18TH: Hursey-Hord.