Oldham beat Newcastle to secure promotion to the Championship

James Gordon

Oldham secured promotion to the Championship in Scott Naylor’s final game in charge as they beat Newcastle 18-14.

Jimmy Beckett’s try 18 minutes from time proved the difference between the two sides, who finished second and third respectively in the League 1 table.

Both sides had beaten Doncaster to reach the final, with Thunder having lost to the Dons in the first week of the play-offs.

Coached by former Toronto assistant Simon Finnigan, Newcastle took the lead on nine minutes, but trailed 6-4 at the break after Danny Langtree’s try and a Paul Crook penalty.

Newcastle restored their lead six minutes in to the second half, but Zack McComb’s converted try put Oldham 12-8 to the good.

Misi Taulapapa’s second try under the posts enabled Thunder to go back in front, but Beckett’s try ultimately proved the difference.

Oldham return to the Championship after a two-year absence, having also won promotion back in 2015.

Their Whitebank Stadium home which hosted the final, hasn’t been permitted to host Championship games in the past, with a move to Bower Fold, home of Stalybridge Celtic, likely.

They played at Bower Fold in 2016 and 2017, and hosted their Challenge Cup game against Widnes at the ground earlier this year.

Oldham join Whitehaven in being promoted to the Championship, with Rochdale and Barrow going the other way and dropping to League 1.

League 1 Newcastle Thunder