Debutant lights up Law Cup victory

Photo: PICTURES by CHRIS SUNDERLAND

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: delighted Oldham duo Lewis Palfrey and Sam Gee hold aloft the Law Cup.

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Rochdale Hornets 20, Oldham 22

OLDHAM unveiled another handy-looking youngster in retaining the Law Cup at Spotland.

Richard Lepori, a 21-year-old full-back on his debut, injected genuine pace and flair into the attack.

Each side scored four tries in a tight game but Lepori's 25th-minute scorcher, which took Roughyeds into a 12-4 lead, was the pick of the bunch.

Linking up with the right-flank attack, he spotted the gap, called for the ball off stand-off Lewis Palfrey, moved into overdrive and swerved stylishly inside opposite number Benji Lloyd to score behind the posts.

But mistakes cost the side heavily in the first half when Hornets capitalised on a 7-3 penalty count to enjoy loads of possession, with two tries just before half-time.

Hornets went in leading 14-12, with three tries to two.

"We had a few stern words," said Naylor. "The game was won and lost in the first 20 minutes of the second half when our pack was at its best, our completion rate was at more than 90 per cent and we scored two tries.

"You can't beat picking up silverware on your opponents pitch, and our second-half performance reminded me of how much I like coaching."

In the early exchanges, both Sam Gee and Lepori were lively from dummy half, with Lepori going close before Jamie Dallimore opened the scoring by touching down Palfrey's kick to the posts.

Though Oldham were later to score that super Lepori try, Hornets generally brought their backs into play more often than the visitors, who conceded two tries down their right flank.

As the first half drew to a close, Oldham couldn't prevent Langley crossing at the corner flag.

What a difference, though, in the second half, during which Liam Gilchrist was the best prop on the pitch.

Adam Files went in from dummy half to restore Oldham's lead before Michael Ward crossed for his side's fourth try from Dallimore's pass.

A stunning break over distance by Danny Langtree set up position for the Ward try, though with men either side of him Langtree should have made more of the opportunity.

On the rare occasions Hornets threatened Oldham were indebted to crucial one-on-one tackles by Kenny Hughes and Lepori.