Oldham will face their biggest test of 2025 when they travel to face Betfred Super League’s high-flying Hull KR on Friday night.
The newly promoted Roughyeds have enjoyed a fine start to the new year with two wins from three in the Betfred Championship, a place in the quarter finals of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup – and now find themselves just 80 minutes from securing a spot in the last eight of the sport’s oldest and most coveted cup competition, the Betfred Challenge Cup.
Oldham are no strangers to Sewell Group Craven Park, having scored a memorable upset at Hull KR in the 2016 Challenge Cup Fifth Round.
The underdogs came away with a 22-36 win on the day – against a struggling Robins side that, interestingly, included Iain Thornley and Kieran Dixon – a pair who now form part of an ambitious Oldham squad and are set to feature in Friday’s Fourth Round tie.
As these two familiar faces prepare for their return to East Hull, they reflected on that cup shock of 2016:
“I remember the result – we got beat and not a lot of people were happy!” said Thornley, who was ever-present for Hull KR in 2016 and is a two-time Challenge Cup winner.
“We were on the worst end of it, but hopefully we might be on the other side of it and Oldham will win again on Friday – so that would be good if we could.”
Dixon, who spent two seasons with the Robins and featured in their 2015 Challenge Cup Final the year before, added:
“It was an upset. Oldham had just come up from League One to the Championship that year, so to have a Super League side beaten at home by that team is something that was quite out of the blue.
“But that’s the draw of the game and it’s knockout rugby. It’s all about who is better on the day and on that day, it was Oldham.”
Where Challenge Cup memories are concerned, both players have cup moments in their careers that they cherish.
An experienced Thornley has won two Challenge Cups with Wigan Warriors and scored the Warriors' opening try in 2013. He was also able to experience Wembley as recently as last season, when his former club Wakefield Trinity lifted the 1895 Cup trophy.
“Early on in my career in 2013 we managed to get down to Wembley and win the final, and then in 2022 the cup final was held at Tottenham, and I managed to win it again with Wigan,” explained Thornley.
“I’ve been to the finals a couple of times but getting to Wembley and being able to play there is just so special.”
Dixon has also been a Challenge Cup Finalist, and although Hull KR were beaten 50-0 on the day against Leeds Rhinos, it was an unforgettable experience.
“It was an incredible journey. The journey to the final was so enjoyable – the final, perhaps not so much – but it was all about the build-up and what it took to get there," explained Dixon, who also an 1895 Cup Finalist with York Knights in 2021.
“Being with Oldham now, we get to do that journey again and it’s something we can speak about. Oldham have caused an upset before, so hopefully it’s something we can replicate.
“Having that opportunity to play at Wembley doesn’t come round very often and it’s something that you don’t forget.”
Oldham have a rich history and are three-time Challenge Cup winners (1899, 1925 and 1927) but have, notably, never featured at the famous Wembley.
Challenge Cup Finals didn’t start being played at Wembley until 1929, and now, there could be a chance for Thornley and Dixon to do something no Oldham player has ever done before – with realistic opportunities to reach Wembley in both the Challenge Cup and 1895 Cup competitions.
“For Oldham to have won the Challenge Cup three times and not have had the opportunity to play at Wembley, it would be nice if we could take the club to the stadium it should have played at,” Dixon admitted.
However, in the Challenge Cup this year, an unbeaten Robins are standing in Oldham’s way - and it's KR who have won their last three meetings. But as always, anything can happen with magic of the cup...
As Friday night is fast approaching, Thornley said:
“I’ve been back [to Hull KR] a couple of times and I think it’s the same scenario I had when I returned to Leigh - every time I touched the ball I get booed!
“I’m expecting some boos every time I touch the ball – but it’s all part of the fun, I’ll enjoy it and hopefully I can score!”
Dixon is also excited for the upcoming cup tie against his former team:
“Being at Hull KR was a great time and it's a great club with a lot of history there. They’re a great set of fans and when you’re on their team, they’re behind you. Maybe not so much when you're playing against them though!
"I'm looking forward to being back in that environment."
Can Oldham write more headlines in 2025? Expected the Unexpected in the Betfred Challenge Cup!
Hull KR will host Oldham in Round Four of the Betfred Challenge Cup on Friday 14 March at Sewell Group Craven Park, K.O. 8pm.
Saturday 7 June is Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day 2025 – also including the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final, AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, and RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final. Tickets are on sale now!
