DONCASTER RLFC 16 OLDHAM RLFC 12

NOT for the first time in 2022, this was the one that got away.

We still recall how Roughyeds drew 22-22 at Hunslet after leading 22-4 in the second half and how they more than held their own in the first half at Rochdale only to concede three second-half tries after Hornets had a man sent off.

In this hard-fought, entertaining game at Doncaster, Stu Littler’s men created so many more try chances than did the home side that it was hard to comprehend that the Dons were on level terms with 20 minutes to go and in a position to pull off a smash-and-grab win with two late penalty goals.

There were too many missed opportunities to chronicle them here.

Suffice to say, full-back Owen Restall, centre Kian Morgan and dummy-half Brad Jinks were in scintillating form and dangerous every time they touched the ball.

Restall, Betfred League One’s top try scorer with 11, didn’t score this time and is now only one try ahead of Gav Rodden of North Wales Crusaders and Gregg McNally of Rochdale Hornets.

Here, he was particularly threatening early on before he picked up a leg injury, but the good news for Roughyeds is that their main strike player stayed on the field and seemed to run it off.

Morgan opened the scoring with an excellent try on Restall’s final pass after the full-back turned up in the three-quarter line outside the halves, Martyn Ridyard and Dave Hewitt. Ridyard added the goal.

After that it was nip and tuck until close to half-time when Doncaster equalised in the right-hand corner with a try by centre Robbie Storey, goaled by Robinson.

Roughyeds, who were never behind until Robinson kicked the first of his two penalty goals with only 12 minutes remaining, regained the lead when Jordan Andrade offloaded cleverly in the tackle and James Thornton crossed. Ridyard goaled again.

Though the two decisive late penalties were dubious decisions, Roughyeds did fall into the trap of conceding penalties - six in the second half alone - and that significantly aided the Dons.

Creditably, they made Roughyeds pay for their misdemeanours when man-of-the-match Robinson scored a try and kicked the goal for 12-12.

He then turned those two late penalties into points - and Roughyeds were left to rue their many missed chances, mainly created by Jinks, Morgan and Restal.

Scorers: Doncaster, goals, Robinson 4/4; tries, Storey, Robinson; Oldham, goals, Ridyard 2/2; tries, Morgan, Thornton.

OLDHAM: Restall; Holcroft, Carr, Morgan, Cooke; Ridyard, Hewitt; Nelmes, Jinks, Spencer, Windrow, Ferry, Whittel. Subs: Yarrow, Thornton, Andrade, Camerson.

Ref, M Rossleigh; HT, 6-6; Pens, 7-2; Att, 1,095.