Roughyeds romp to derby success

JASON BOULTS bursts through the Rochdale defence. Pictures: DARREN ROBINSON.

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Oldham 54, Rochdale 4

THE MESSAGE put out by the Roughyeds camp following last week’s win over Widnes was simple: such eye-catching victories count for little unless they are followed up successfully.

From that point of view – and whichever other way you wish to look at it – this 10-try win over local rivals Rochdale was a job well done.

Tony Benson’s side were far too powerful, far too skilful, far too fit and simply far too good for opposition who, understandably given their troubled pre-season circumstances, tired as the game wore on at Boundary Park.

While the Roughyeds had enjoyed a full five days of rest since their Vikings victory, Hornets had to back up from a tough home battle against Barrow only three days previous. For a side which was still signing up its squad last week following a supporters’ group takeover, it was a step too far.

After a tough opening, Oldham soon began to dominate. Paul Highton, captain for the day due to Robert Roberts’ injury, did a superb job as pack leader in his first start for the club, making hard yards every time he had the ball. His other prop forwards – including Wayne Kerr, who opened his Roughyeds try scoring account – weren’t far behind.

Dave Allen was also mighty impressive at loose forward, evading tackles and popping off passes, while Phil Joseph spent most of the 80 minutes on the field and drove the team on at hooker with typical bullishness.

In the outside backs, Andy Ballard looked a class act again. The former Salford flyer linked up well with centre partner Danny Halliwell on the right, scoring a brace of tries and kicking another seven goals.

It was Ballard who opened the scoring for Oldham, playing in a new kit featuring traditional red-and-white hoops. Neil Roden’s kick on the last tackle deflected its way to the winger as he lurked on the right wing and he also converted from a tight angle.

Jamie I’Anson was then held up over the line, before Lee Greenwood had a golden chance to open his account for the club only to lose control in the act of crossing the line.

Despite being up against it around the ruck, Rochdale were battling on and caused a few moments of consternation for the home defence. On one of their forays, John Walker picked up a ball which came loose to make it past a number of tackles to touch down after 21 minutes.

A powerful run straight down the middle from Paul Highton provided the spur necessary for Oldham to cross again, Kerr taking advantage of the defenders sucked out of the middle to go over from short range with Ballard adding the extras.

And a pair of tries at the back end of the half provided a shattering blow to the Hornets’ hopes.

First, an overlap on the left was exploited by way of Tommy Goulden’s pass to the onrushing Marcus St Hilaire, before a wonderful sweeping move – featuring a superb offload by Allen and then another, under great pressure, from Jamie I’Anson – ended with Ballard crossing for his second of the evening in the right corner.

The ex-Salford winger’s excellent conversion took his first-half points tally to 14, in a period in which Hornets paid dearly for conceding penalties at regular intervals.

Ballard turned creator shortly after half-time, pushing a high kick back infield for Danny Halliwell to work well in a confined space to dive over.

James Coyle was next on the score sheet, winning the race to a bouncing ball to nip in next to the posts, before Halliwell then went in for his second, a simple try off an Allen pass.

Ex-Oldham man Martin McLoughlin was sent off for an alleged head butt just after the hour after his own side had been awarded a penalty for a high tackle by referee Craig Halloran.

Goulden then provided a quick-fire double, both following up good work from Joseph. The second of his brace featured a brilliant offload from the hooker, who only narrowly failed to get over the line himself on a number of occasions.

The scoring action was rounded off by Coyle, finishing off a move that began with more good work from Allen and a smart run from St Hilaire as the Roughyeds continued to look hungry, confident and composed until the last.