Stags strength no shock

TRY: Steven Nield dives over for Oldham’s second.

NEITHER Scott Naylor nor his No 2 Lee Spencer was surprised by Hemel Stags’ physical strength, speed and rugby know-how.

They had prepared the team for another competitive clash with a Hemel side with seven new faces from the team which Roughyeds beat 30-12 in Hertfordshire in May.

Said Naylor: “This was always going to be a close contest because Hemel are a big, well-coached team.

“We got away with one when we snatched it in the dying seconds at South Wales last week, but we knew we would have to really step up to the mark for this game.

“We needed to be defensively tight and quick into the tackle and we had to control the rucks, which we did really well.

“If we do that okay, we are always capable of scoring points, as was proved again when we scored three tries in eight minutes late in the game.

“We seem to keep coming up with the tries and the extra effort when it is most needed and hopefully that will continue.”