Comeback kings!
Date published: 20 February 2012
NOWHERE TO GO: Valu Bentley runs into a wall of South Wales Scorpions players.
Roughyeds sting Scorpions with ‘heart and character’
Oldham RL Club coach Tony Benson has hailed his players’ commitment - only days after questioning the character of his players.
His side came from behind to draw 36-36 at South Wales Scorpions in the Northern Rail Cup group stage.
A storming second-half performance saw Roughyeds recover from 18 points down to level the score — just the kind of display Benson demanded after the crushing 68-0 home defeat to Featherstone Rovers in midweek.
He said: “I am very pleased with the comeback and the manner of the second-half performance.
“We had conceded some soft tries, which was disappointing as a lot of preparation work had gone into preventing that from happening. But fair play to the lads. It was a difficult game to go into, just four days after the Featherstone match which left a lot of them sore, tired or even injured.
“I was not happy we conceded 36 points but the players demonstrated a lot of heart and character. I suppose it is extra pleasing, due to the way we capitulated against Featherstone. This time we fell behind but rallied.
“The scoreboard showed that we did not win the game, but it was a victory over adversity, which is always valuable to the team.”
Benson’s plans suffered a blow when Chris Clarke was poked in the eye by a teammate during the pre-match warm-up and replaced by substitute Martin Roden.
Clarke was taken to hospital where it was confirmed he had suffered a graze to the eye. He is expected to return for Sunday’s home clash with Dewsbury. Chairman Chris Hamilton missed the majority of the match after accompanying Clarke to the hospital.
In front of 849 fans at The Gnoll, the hosts had an opportunity to go in front following a penalty but Neil Dallimore was held up a metre from the line, with Curtis Cunningham unable to reach Jamie Rooney’s chip kick.
From the restart, Oldham progressed up the field and took the lead from a break when Alex Thompson fed John Clough to cross. Jamie Dallimore converted.
Scorpions restored parity after 21 minutes. James Greenwood looked to have dropped the ball, which Joe Burke latched onto to ground, but the touchjudge ruled the ball had gone back and the score was given. Rooney goaled.
Benson’s men regained the lead almost straight away, Jamie Dallimore bundling his way through and converting.
But the home outfit hit back again, Jamie Acton mustering the try and Rooney adding the extras.
And debutant Nathan Mossop evaded several challenges before touching down before the break. Rooney’s conversion gave the Welsh team an 18-12 advantage at the half-way stage.
From kick-off it was 24-12. Scorpions won a scrum on Oldham’s 10-metre line and from the resulting play, James Greenwood claimed a try, which Rooney converted.
They extended their lead after 55 minutes when Lewis Reece sprinted over half the length of the field to score. Rooney had no problems with the kick.
Oldham gave themselves a lifeline when Bruce Johnson forced his way over, with Jamie Dallimore soon following him over and converting both tries.
The Roughyeds were looking for an equaliser but the Scorpions turned defence into attack for a 90-metre score. Rodney Peake created the chance as he picked up an attempted tricky grubber. David James supported him and set up Curtis Cunningham to run home.
But Matthew Fogarty intercepted a pass and crashed over, prior to Dallimore doing the business with the kick.
And an error let them back in again as Oldham produced a good set of six, resulting in John Clough scoring from close range and Dallimore scoring the goal.
