A PRE-season match this might have been, but it did not really feel like it, either with a remarkable attendance of more than 3,000, or indeed in the contest on the field.
A young but by no means totally inexperienced Wigan side eventually won by six tries to three.
But after being utterly overwhelmed in the early stages, Oldham gradually got into the game, and did not by any means disgrace themselves.
Three early errors by Oldham’s wingers were heavily exploited by Matt Peet’s side.
After youngster Jumah Sambou failed to hold the kick-off, it was not long before two of the more experienced Warriors players combined to score the first points of the contest.
A superb grubber by Kruise Leeming allowed former Oldham favourite Tyler Dupree to collect the bouncing ball and crash over close in.
Two Wigan more tries followed in quick order.
First Kieran Dixon dropped a high kick, and passing among the Wigan challengers allowed the supporting Jack Farrimond to go over, although too wide out for Zach Eckersley to kick a second conversion.
Then Liam Byrne was just too big and too strong to be stopped from close range, and with Eckersley’s extras, it was 16-0 after eleven minutes.
However from that low point, the Roughyeds stopped making errors, began to gain some metres themselves, and were eventually able to challenge the Wigan defence, instead of repeatedly having to guard their own line.
Iain Thornley, on debut, was the first to benefit when he crashed over to the right of the posts, after Gil Dudson had made the initial dent in the defence. Dixon goaled.
And although a superb piece of skill by Farrimond had created the opportunity for Tom Forber to go in for Wigan’s fourth try soon afterwards, Oldham actually had the better of the final ten minutes of the opening period, with both Dixon and Sambou having scores chalked off.
The sides were much changed for the start of the second half, but there did not seem to be any resulting loss of cohesion, and there was certainly no reduction in competitiveness either.
The remainder of the game was pretty even, with two apiece recorded.
For the visitors, both were scored as a result of overlaps created down their left side, with youngsters Josh Cartwright and Finlay Yeomans getting the touchdowns.
Dupree was held up over the line too, while Farrimond was superbly stopped by a cover tackle from Mo Agoro.
Oldham also had their moments, both Elijah Taylor and the powerful Sambou producing marvellous long breaks which their colleagues were unable to finish off.
They did score first and last in the half, though.
Logan Astley, recently of Wigan, had looked dangerous from the start of his stint on the field, and after both he and Jay Chapelhow had gone very close, Astley nipped in on the next play.
And finally, substitute halfback Riley Dean set up the same Chapelhow twin to produce the biggest smile of the afternoon as he charged over under the posts in the 75th minute. Dean converted.
GAMESTAR: Jack Farrimond showed maturity beyond his years as Wigan’s organising halfback, as well as showing a few mercurial touches of his own.
GAMEBREAKER: The Warriors start was just overwhelming – three tries and 16-0 up after just eleven minutes.
OLDHAM
20 Jack Johnson
18 Jumah Sambou
4 Iain Thornley
3 Jordan Turner
2 Kieran Dixon
6 Danny Craven
23 Josh Drinkwater
8 Gil Dudson
9 Matty Wildie
21 Lewis Baxter
11 Matty Ashurst
17 Elijah Taylor
13 Adam Milner
Subs (all used)
25 Craig Kopczak
14 Bailey Aldridge
24 Ben O’Keefe
22 Cian Tyrer
15 Jay Chapelhow
16 Pat Moran
19 Ted Chapelhow
1 Logan Astley
5 Mo Agoro
7 Riley Dean
10 Owen Farnworth
27 Ben Forster
Tries: Thornley (22), Astley (46), J Chapelhow (75)
Goals: Dixon 1/1, Dean 1/2
WARRIORS
32 Noah Hodkinson
26 Jacob Douglas
22 Zach Eckersley
30 Nathan Lowe
35 Josh Cartwright
24 Jack Farrimond
29 Taylor Kerr
16 Liam Byrne
17 Kruise Leeming
19 Tyler Dupree
34 George Hirst
21 Sam Walters
20 Harvie Hill
Subs (all used)
23 Tom Forber
25 Sam Eseh Jr
27 Harvey Makin
28 Tiaki Chan
31 Lukas Mason
33 Kian McDermott
36 Finlay Yeomans
37 Austin Daniel
Tries: Dupree (4), Farrimond (7), Byrne (11), Forber (26), Cartwright (54), Yeomans (66)
Goals: Eckersley 2/6
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-10, 0-16, 6-16, 6-20; 10-20, 10-24, 10-28, 16-28
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Oldham: Elijah Taylor; Warriors: Jack Farrimond
Penalty count: 4-5
Half-time: 6-20
Referee: Matty Lynn
Attendance: 3,059
