Oldham’s return to the Kingstone Press Championship was short lived on this occasion as an 11th place finished cemented their return to League 1.
Scott Naylor’s outfit proved to be quite plucky in their return though, succeeding in survival last season after bouts of exciting rugby.
They produced similar superlatives in 2017 but they unfortunately just fell short and are now destined for a return to the third division.
They’re another club who are asked of the question. Will they return?! Who knows, but find out below their 2017 campaign in full and perhaps where things could have gone better.
Best Performance: Oldham RLFC 14-12 Toulouse Olympique
Not many points but plenty of determination and grit as Oldham’s best display of 2017 had to be their close yet famous home win over Toulouse Olympique.
The Roughyeds were heavily written off by critics alike prior to this one, but at Bower Fold, they managed to attain the two points against all the odds.
They initially trailed 6-4 at half-time, with Sebastien Planas’ converted try initially cancelling out Steven Nield’s effort.
Both teams then exchanged a further try apiece through George Tyson for Oldham and Charlie Buzinac for Toulouse, but the goal kicking of Dave Hewitt ultimately separated the teams.
That and their hard work in defence keeping the French at bay, without doubt a ray of sunshine in their campaign.
It is also something to build on, being capable of such a result means they can challenge anyone on the day, meaning they should be hot contenders to try and return to the Championship in due course.
