Reserves swoop to deny Eagles

ROUGHYEDS reserves moved to third place in the Reserves Championship with a 36-18 win at Sheffield Eagles on Saturday — their third win in eight days.

John Hough’s boys trailed 18-16 at half-time, but produced a stunning performance on attack and defence in the second half to score 20 unanswered points.

“I had a few harsh words to say at half-time, and they had the desired affect,” said the Roughyeds coach, who had seen his side throw away an early 16-0 lead.

Oldham’s six tries were scored by Scott Mansfield, Danny Chetwynd, Ben Mellor, Mark Smith, Lewis Brooks and Austen Barrowclough, while Mick Diveney landed six goals from seven attempts, including a gem off the touchline.

Mark Brocklehurst thought he had scored another after a superb long-range break, but the touchjudge ruled he had just nudged the touchline as he flew up the wing.

Team: Coates; Brooks, Brocklehurst, Williams, Chetwynd; Diveney, Connick; Joy, Mansfield, Mellor, Ward, Smith, Hatton. Subs: Barrowclough, Cadd, D Knight, Fields.

Out through injury were Johnny Walker, Ben Marsden, Jamie Knight and Kashley Watkins.

Of the 11 teams in the division, eight are the second teams of Championship sides.

The only clubs from Championship One are Oldham, Hunslet and York.

The Roughyeds are flying high, having won seven of their last eight to move into third place behind leaders Whitehaven and Leigh.

“We now face another big test at Widnes Vikings on Thursday night, but we’ll be going there with all guns blazing,” added Hough.