Oldham prevent sting in the tail
Date published: 12 April 2010
GANGING UP . . . Oldham's Ben Heaton is stopped in his tracks by Scorpions’ Loz Wildbore (left) and Lloyd White
SW SCORPIONS 16, OLDHAM 22
OLDHAM maintained their 100 per cent record at the top of Co-operative Championship One, but it was a close-run thing as the South Wales side fought all the way to earn a bonus point.
The Roughyeds were dominant in the early stages and their first-half performance was enough to settle the game.
However, they let their advantage slip and were relieved at the timing of the final hooter.
Oldham had the perfect opportunity to take the lead after eight minutes.
Mick Fogerty broke through, but Martin Roden mishandled with a clear run at goal.
Roughyeds bombarded the Welsh defence and Paul O’Connor kicked through, but Jamie Murphy was there to clear up. However, Oldham went in front when Lucas Onyango weaved his way through for a try which O’Connor goaled.
The Roughyeds could have increased their lead when Neil Roden kicked through, but Marcus St Hilaire could not get his fingertips to the ball as it took a high bounce.
Fogerty was pushed into touch as he looked set to score, while at the other end the Scorpions squandered a chance to get on the scoresheet when Christiaan Roets’ inaccurate pass to Craig Richards flew into touch.
Scorpions did not waste their next chance. David James intercepted and two tackles later Steve Parry went over from dummy half and Lloyd White kicked the goal.
The scores were level for less than five minutes as Oldham’s Danny Whitmore broke through from close range following a penalty and O’Connor goaled again.
And the Roughyeds extended their lead from the first set after kick-off. Despite the suspicion of a forward pass, Fogerty went over on the wing.
After the break, Aled James thought he had got Scorpions’ second try on the board, but it was disallowed for a knock-on.
Indeed, it was Oldham who scored next when Neil Roden created a gap for Jason Boults to run under the sticks. O’Connor had no problem with the kick.
Scorpions fought back with successive penalties, but Oldham’s defence held firm until South Wales scored the try of the game after 62 minutes.
Jamie Murphy ran 50 metres to set up Roets, who sprinted the final 30 to go over.
Ten minutes later, Richards raced down the wing for a further Welsh score, White kicking the goal, but the Roughyeds repelled the home side’s grandstand finish to continue their winning ways.
Oldham coach Tony Benson said: “It wasn’t perfect, but South Wales are a good side and they put a lot of pressure on us.
“Our defence was pretty strong. We were restricted in the substitutes and what we could do because of injuries.
“People were sore, which was expected, but the effort the team showed was brilliant.
“The area we have to improve is our attack. We were a bit flat and didn’t have enough shape.
“However, we had two physical games over the Easter weekend and then a long trip down to South Wales.
“We also faced a team which had only one game over Easter which makes a big difference.
“It’s good to still be at the top. We have a game in hand, too.
“We had a goal to win our first five games, which we have achieved today, so that in itself is very rewarding for the boys.”
