Oldham Roughyeds win League One and promotion to the Betfred Championship after a 20-12 victory at Keighley Cougars.
Oldham went close early when Mo Agoro was smashed into touch by Billy Walkley and Jack Miller.
That move gave the Roughyeds confidence and Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e (PLT) found space in Keighley’s defence and gave the ball to Agoro to score his first.
Oldham doubled their advantage with a similar move as before, but this time from a scrum and former Cougars player Agoro grabbed himself a brace in the corner.
Oldham kept applying pressure in the first 20 minutes and Laulu-Togaga’e scooted from dummy half to score close to the sticks.
The Cougars started to find their feet before the break forcing two goal line dropouts which helped the side find belief, before Brandon Pickersgill scored and gave the home faithful a boost.
Keighley started the second-half like they finished the first with constant pressure, Jack Miller’s high bomb was dropped by Laulu-Togaga’e, but the Roughyeds defence kept Keighley out.
Jake Webster’s men applied even more pressure, but Oldham’s defence was solid and kept Keighley out after two sets just near the line.
Oldham were clinical as George Hirst crashed over to give the Roughyeds a 14-point cushion and one foot on the League One title.
Cougars didn’t give up though as Ellis Robson scored from close range, but it wasn’t enough as Oldham’s promotion was confirmed at the final whistle.
Keighley will now look ahead to the final two league matches vs Hunslet and Rochdale Hornets before the play-offs in September.
By Harvey Redmonds
