By Ian Golden at The Gnoll, Neath
South Wales Scorpions ended their Northern Rail Cup with a defeat but they made Oldham Roughyeds work for their win in a game that was played in freezing conditions reminiscent of January rather than March.
In the end it was a late two try burst which sealed it for the visitors with their goal-kicker Jamie Dallimore giving them the boost throughout with his 100% kicking record.
The defeat means that the Scorpions are out of the Northern Rail Cup but could still qualify for the Bowl if London Skolars win their next three knock-out games and reach the main Cup Final.
It started well for the Scorpions as they took the lead on seven minutes when Dalton Grant went over in the corner following a penalty. Olds missed the kick.
The same player looked to ground in the same place after a long pass from Olds, but the half-back had been adjudged to have knocked on before he slung the ball out wide.
Scorpions continued to attack. Rhodri Lloyd and Ollie Olds combined well to make 60 metres with Olds selling one dummy too many and being stopped well by Mo Agoro.
Unfortunately for the home side, Olds suffered from an ankle injury soon after that with Connor Farrer replacing him and Steve Parry being moved into the halves.
The switch slightly unsettled the Scorpions and Oldham took advantage.
The visitors were helped on by strong vocal support from the Roughyeds fans, who had braved the arctic conditions of the north to make it down and their enthusiasm was rewarded on the half hour when Kenny Hughes played the ball out to Neil Roden who scored in the corner. Jamie Dallimore did well to convert from the touchline to put Oldham 6-4 up at the break.
Scorpions were first over the line in the second half. Rhodri Lloyd set up Shae Lyon-Fraser to score near to the corner flag with Powell taking over the kicking duties from Olds but his effort went just wide of the upright for the score to remain at 8-6.
Oldham took the lead again after a good try from Danny Langtree, after the same player made the break to create it. Dallimore kept up his 100% kicking record.
Scorpions were then awarded a penalty following a fight that saw Connor Farrer and Chris Tyrer sinbinned. They made good use of it as Lyon-Fraser broke through for his second of the game but once again the kick was missed.
After that it was Oldham’s game. Dale Bloomfield in the corner was the next try. Dallimore’s kicked the goal before adding a try of his own and converting to seal the win.
The Scorpions held on for a bonus point but it could have been closer. Steve Parry made a good run as he looked for a try but his efforts were halted.