Coach lauds Dallimore

‘EXCEPTIONAL’ SHOW... Jamie Dallimore.

ROUGHYEDS coach Tony Benson praised the involvement of rookie half-back Jamie Dallimore, who played a starring role in a morale-boosting victory over South Wales Scorpions.

The 22-year-old product of the Wigan St Cuthbert’s club shot home for two tries, created one for Ben Wood and also landed a drop-goal to mark what the player described as a “fantastic” experience in his first-ever Co-operative Championship One appearance.

“Dallimore was exceptional,” said Benson, who fielded the player for the second time — he made his first-team debut in a Challenge Cup mauling at Hull — in the absence of Neil Roden.

“He has trained well for over a month with us. His kicking game was fantastic — I would have liked to have seen him do more — his decision-making with the ball in hand was good and his defence was as good as it always is.

“And his push and support was great, too.

“Again, Shaun Robinson stood out for me as well as Ben Heaton. The forwards took us forward well, and in games like this you appreciate how much every person has to do to make it work.”

Oldham took command of the game in the second half at a rain-swept Whitebank Stadium, thanks to a solid display which was in contrast to last week’s 30-0 loss at Doncaster.

The contest was poised at half-time and when the Scorpions levelled at 18-18 with a converted interception try from full-back Jamie Murphy, heads could well have dropped.

But the Roughyeds fought back to ease in front thanks to tries down the slope from Ben Wood, Marcus St Hilaire and Heaton.

“We changed our game plan from last week and it absolutely suited the weather,” Benson added.

“The conditions were a real leveller and I feel if it was a drier track, the score would have been higher.

“But you play to the conditions and we did that pretty well. We did it in the right way and it was a good team effort.

“Defensively, we were very strong. We let in a very soft first try, but I am more than happy.”

Oldham’s coach was also keen to point out the role played by the fans, who braved awful conditions to cheer the team to a much-needed three points.

“I have to give a huge thank-you out to the supporters,” he said.

“They stood there in the rain, it was freezing and we really appreciate that.

“They were so positive, following on from Doncaster and it was just brilliant.”