Hull KR 22-36 Oldham Roughyeds: Championship side stun Rovers
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 16/04/16 10:28pm
Hull Kingston Rovers are out of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup after part-timers Oldham Roughyeds earned a stunning 36-22 victory at the KC Lightstream Stadium.
Rovers, one of four Super League sides to join the competition at the fifth-round stage, reached last year's final but Championship team Oldham ensured they fell at the first hurdle this season.
The Roughyeds, in their first campaign back in the second tier, were 24-6 up at half-time courtesy of tries from Will Hope, Richard Lepori, Steve Roper and Adam Clay.
Shaun Lunt gave a strong Hull KR side hope early in the second half, only for Gary Middlehurst to cross to make it 30-10 with 24 minutes to play.
James Webster's men reduced the deficit to eight points heading into the final 10 minutes through tries from Maurice Blair, Joe Wardill and Dane Tilse, his second, but Lepori completed one of the biggest upsets in recent years in the dying seconds.
Roughyeds coach Scott Naylor said: "This is probably the biggest win since the club reformed [in 1997].
"This is huge for us because it's well known we're not a wealthy club and we don't have the same money as some clubs in our division. For me as a coach, that's as good as it gets.
"It's an amazing occasion for them [Oldham's players]. We spoke about getting to 20 minutes, then 30 minutes and see what happens. We didn't expect the half-time score to be 24-6.
"For the club, this is something we'll cherish."
Asked who he would like to be drawn against in the sixth round, when the rest of the Super League sides enter the competition, Naylor said: "Whoever gets the biggest crowds. Wigan away would be nice. Whoever it is, it's going to be a great day for the club."
Rovers coach Webster admitted the result was the worst he has ever experienced.
He said: "It was the biggest embarrassment of my career, since before I left school. What we dished up was an utter embarrassment.
"I've protected these boys since I've been here, but I have to apologise to everyone associated with this club. That is not of a level that's needed to pick up the wage they pick up."
There was another shock later on Saturday afternoon as Kingstone Press League 1 side Toulouse Olympique XIII edged past Championship leaders Leigh Centurions 10-8 at Stade des Minimes.
The French side, who have now won all six of their matches on their return to British rugby league, were 8-0 up at the break after Bastien Canet's converted try and a Mark Kheirallah penalty.
But Leigh responded immediately after the interval as Sam Hopkins crossed, with Martyn Ridyard adding the extras.
Ridyard then levelled the tie with another goal, but Kheirallah had the final say as he held his nerve with 11 minutes remaining to slot over a penalty and secure a memorable win for Toulouse.
Batley Bulldogs will join Oldham and Toulouse in the next round after beating Championship rivals Featherstone Rovers 28-10 at Mount Pleasant.
Featherstone took a 6-4 lead into half-time after Misi Taulapapa's try cancelled out Shaun Squires' effort.
But James Harrison edged the Bulldogs back in front just before the hour mark and Batley sealed their progress thanks to tries from Shaun Ainscough, Dom Brambani and Cain Southernwood, with Jamie Cording crossing for a late Rovers consolation.
