Perfect scenario for coach Naylor

DON’T MESS WITH ME . . . Phil Joy means business.

TO beat North Wales and deny them a bonus point provided Oldham with the perfect scenario, said Roughyeds boss Scott Naylor.

The home side's 28-10 win at Whitebank extended the Roughyeds' lead at the top of Championship One to five points and threw the title race wide open.

If Naylor's young squad can win their remaining three games, Crusaders can't afford to lose one - and they still have five to play.

Said a delighted Naylor: "Before the game we would have been happy with a win, but to deny them a bonus point was something else. The boys were excellent.

"The deluge at half-time, when we led 18-4, made a massive difference to the game and made it tricky for both sides to keep hold of the ball.

"We didn't complete a second-half set for what seemed like ages, but on the back of that we showed terrific desire in defence.

"The players deserve great credit for restricting the team with the best attacking record in the division to one try in each half, especially when we had so much tackling to do because of the mistakes.

"We've got better and grown in stature as the season has gone on and there is still enough improvement in us to carry on getting better, which is our aim for the rest of the season.

"We had no Richard Lepori today, no David Cookson and no Jason Boults, but the boys who came in, or played out of position, did excellent jobs.”