REVAMPED Oldham Rugby League Club go into their second-round Betfred Challenge Cup tie against amateurs Lock Lane at the Vestacare Stadium on Sunday (6pm), buoyed by their highly-encouraging all-round performance in their pre-season friendly against Trinity.

To say that 15 of the 20 players Oldham used were new signings for the forthcoming season, Roughyeds performed admirably.

Indeed, there were only seconds left when super sub Kyle Marsh levelled things up with a try for Wakefield. Oldham skipper Martyn Ridyard went for a speculative, long-range drop goal from half way which looked good until it swung wide of the uprights to leave the final score at 24-24.

Oldham had to work exceptionally hard in defence against their Super League opponents and they didn’t disappoint. At close quarters they always got two or three men into the tackle.

But this wasn’t all about Oldham defending. Speedy, talented full-back Owen Restall scored two cracking tries in the first 16 minutes before Trinity’s ruck speed, razor-sharp support play and general technical ability gave them a spell either side of half-time in which they ran in 20 points without reply.

Roughyeds later got their second wind, regained the initiative and scored late tries by backs Joe Hartley and Calvin Wellington out on the left, both goaled beautifully off the touchlne by stand-off Ridyard, who finished with four goals from as many attempts.

Up front, Tom Spencer and Jack Coventry were strong and powerful, while forwards stepping up from the amateur ranks for their first taste of semi-pro rugby, like Ethan Ferry and Dominic Newton, offered highly-encouraging support.

All in all, this was a great first run-out which will benefit everyone ahead of next Sunday evening’s cup-tie at the Vestacare Stadium.

OLDHAM: Restall; Brierley, Cooke, Wellington, Holcroft; Ridyard, Hewitt; Nelmes, Wright, Spencer, Muranka, Ferry, Thornton. Subs (all used): Slater, Hartley, Newton, Coventry, Mills, Copland, Pye.