Oldham's recovery inspired by Bradbury

Rugby League: Round-up

Round-up

A remarkable second-half rally enabled the Oldham Bears to end their Super League season on a high note with a 34-25 win against the Sheffield Eagles yesterday.

Oldham trailed 21-6 at half time after an inept first half display but they got their act together to score six second-half tries in a rousing performance highlighted by Scott Ranson's 16-minute hat-trick.

Oldham's loose-forward David Bradbury celebrated his call up for Great Britain's tour of the South Pacific with a brilliant second-half display in which he constantly split the Eagles defence when bursting clear off Martin Crompton's passes.

The first half belonged to Sheffield. Their second row forward, Paul Carr, was outstanding as the Eagles ran in tries by Keith Senior, Johnny Lawless and Danny McAllister.

The change afterwards was dramatic. With Bradbury bursting down the middle Oldham scored early second-half tries by Gary Burns, Paul Atcheson - his second of the match - Bradbury and the first of Ranson's three to snatch the lead a 22-21 with 15 minutes remaining.

When Sheffield hit back to go in front again with a try in the corner by Mark Garcia but Oldham clinched the victory when Ranson crossed in the 78th and 80th minutes and Paul Crook, a substitute, to improve both tries.

Greg Barwick scored 28 points as London Broncos wrapped up their regular season with the complete destruction of a Castleford team who were left totally embarrassed.

Swinton gained promotion to the First Division despite a try by Rob D'Arcy in the dying seconds of the game, which clinched a 12-10 victory for Hull KR at Gigg Lane.