Oldham fail again as Thorman sees Knights home

Oldham 4 York 25

Opinions vary on the use of the play-off system in rugby league's lower divisions, but Oldham are heartily sick of it after losing their Grand Final for the fourth year in a row.

York were never behind at the Halliwell Jones Stadium yesterday, ensuring that they will be th e ones accompanying the division winners, Hunslet, from Championship 1 to next year's Championship.

They took an early lead through Wayne Reittie, but were then pegged back by an excellent try from Oldham, with Neil Roden kicking ahead twice before Mick Fogerty touched down.

The impressive full-back, James Haynes, put York back in front before half-time and they were never seriously under threat after that. The vast experience of their stand-off, Chris Thorman, helped to guide them home with a contribution that included a try from a lovely little dummy and a drop goal.

Fittingly, the City Knights wrapped it up with a try that took the ball through several pairs of handed before Steve Lewis touched down.

It was a piece of play typical of an open, entertaining contest in which they were just too good for an Oldham team who do not seem to want to leave the third tier of the professional game.

*Warrington Wizards won the first match of the day by beating Underbank Rangers 23-18 in the RL Conference Grand Final.

Oldham O'Connor; Onyango, St Hilaire, Fogerty, Gillam; N Roden, McNally; Boults, M.Roden, Kerr, Clarke, Chandler, Bentley. Substitutes used: Ellison, Heaton, Whitmore, Ashe.

York Haynes; Reittie, Mitchell, Waterman, Wilson; Thorman, Ratcliffe; Freer, Lee, Benson, Ross, Esders, Harbottle. Substitutes used: Stamp, Dinsdale, Lewis, Stearman.

Referee G Hewer (Whitehaven).

Terry Newton is dead, briefing, page 15