Roughyeds in full bloom as coach rings changes

Date published: 13 May 2013


STAGS 12, OLDHAM 30

DALE Bloomfield’s hat-trick and a typically cheeky Adam Files special were the try-scoring highlights of Oldham’s impressive win in Hertfordshire.

The best winger in the world can only score tries if given the ball with room to move and Bloomfield made no mistake with the three passes that came his way.

Two were provided by 19-year-old dual-registered centre Jon Ford, a young player who confirmed his considerable promise. His third and final try came from Josh Crowley, who got the ball away in a three-man tackle close to the line.

Bloomfield took his try tally for the season to five and to score more tries in one game than he had done in the previous seven.

Sandwiched between his second and third touchdowns, as Roughyeds took the game out of Hemel’s reach in the last 20 minutes, came the Files beauty.

Powerful drives up the middle by first Liam Gilchrist, then Phil Joy, then Crowley, gave Files the perfect opportunity to weave his magic.

And weave it he did to clear the ruck, set off for the corner and then turn inside a helpless Stags full-back to score behind the posts.

The young hooker has now scored a try in each of Oldham’s last five games to draw level with Danny Langtree, on six, at the top of the club’s list for the season so far.

Scott Naylor changed his side around after the bitterly disappointing home defeat by Oxford, leaving out Neil Roden, Danny Samuel, Callum Marriott and Sam Gee.

On-loan Danny Whitmore, the dual-reg Ford, Gilchrist and Kenny Hughes replaced them, with Hughes getting his first start of the season at hooker.

Each contributed much to an overall team performance in which Naylor’s men put the Oxford nightmare behind them to produce winning rugby against a side brimming over with confidence and appetite for the challenge.

Playing his first game on loan, Whitmore gradually grew in confidence - so much so that by the time Palfrey departed he looked comfortable in the role of chief play-maker and tactical pivot.