London Skolars’ five match unbeaten run in Co-operative Championship One came to an end as they were beaten 44-24 by leaders Oldham.

Joe Mbu’s side were on the back foot in the early stages and the visitors ran in two tries inside the first eight minutes.

The first came from Lewis Palfrey while the second arrived when Richard Lepori swerved through the defence to score.

Mike Bishay and Olly Purslow both went close but Oldham’s defence held firm. The Roughyeds then extended their lead as they elected to tap a penalty and Matthew Haggerty found space to power over the line.

Skolars responded and reduced the deficit when John Paxton touched down in the corner and they scored a second try when Paxton released the ball to Alex Hurst and he ran over.

With the pressure building on Oldham, they were fortunate to kick a penalty over in the last touch of the half.

The Roughyeds began the second period assertively.

Palfrey was held-up over the line before he kicked to the corner and a mistake allowed Dale Blooomfield to take advantage and score.

Lepori then added his second try of the afternoon but Skolars again battled back and Erjon Dollapi touched down.

Mbu’s side reduced the deficit to six points when Dylan Skee passed to James Anthony and he powered over for his 15th try of the campaign.

The Roughyeds showed their class however with Josh Crowley slipping past the defence before off-loading to Lepori and the full-back claimed his hat-trick.

With a 12-point margin, Skolars weren’t settling for a bonus point but they forced matters and gave away a penalty which Palfrey successfully kicked.

Skolars conceded another late penalty which was converted and in the final moments Oldham’s Adam Files burrowed over to round off the scoring.