19 replies to this topic

[SINGE]

According to a Hornmet on another forum.
Sorry could not be there.
Excellent result

[m brooksy]

Cracking game today. I thought we were well worth the win today outscoring Rochdale 7-5 in terms of tries but also bombing four or five excellent opportunities. All round performance was good and some suprising games from some of the young lads.

Ben Wood was outstanding on debut getting a hat trick and had a super game all round but personally I had John Clough as MOTM thought he was absolutely fantastic. Ben Heaton's try was also brilliant, full length of the field effort and Williams' try in the first half involved some excellent handling from five or six players.

Lots and lots of positives for the season ahead

[Gary Coyle]

Cracking game, just a shame about the lights or lack of.

[beacs]

Why is NOONE ever bloody happy at Oldham , the floodlights are fine , fair enough they should have started to put them on early in first half but thats Mr hamilton for you , then there seemed to be a issue with power , just bloody show your support for the lads this year its going to be a rough ride .

Cracking game today despite Hairnets being gifted 3 tries by ref , penalties galore kinda spoilt the game for me , Ben Heaton already recorded try of season with that fantastic effort , the champagne rugby moment had to be the alistair williams first try when 6 players all handled ball brilliantly , MOM Ben wood has nailed on his position as second row for me .

All in all Oldham beat Rochdale and the bragging rights are ours for the season ahead , so come on everyone, COME ON OLDHAM !!!

[Roughyeds Return]

Thought we did OK, Ben Wood was excellent and looks like we may have unearthed another gem. Agree Clough looks a very good signing. Also thought the trialist prop Tom Wood-Hulme, is worth another runout, he had a couple of cracking runs where he scattered a few Hornets.

For a first run out of the season it was a satisfactory performance.

Still think we need a bit more guile at scrum-half, Diveney did OK, but in my opinion not yet ready and we are again far too reliant on Rats and need another option.

Where was Gilly today? Nice suprise to see Brocky as didn't expect to see him until Feb.

Think the backs aren't far off with Gilly, Junior, Bradbury and Woodcock still to come in, but would like to see another halfback and a further backrower at least.

At least the Law Cup has come home and don't see what Rochdale have to complain about.

Edited by Roughyeds Return, 02 January 2011 - 08:30 PM.

[m brooksy]

I think it's pretty clear we are desperate for a scrum half, Diveney will be good back up and should develop into a good player but it is too much to expect him to play every week.

Of the new players Wood -Hulme looked like a tank brushed off defenders with every carry and although he struggled with match fitness could be a cracking find. Gilchrist looked decent, steady with the ball and excellent technique and workrate in defence. Wood was superb in the second row. Clough will turn out to be a fantastic signing and had a great game especially at hooker. Isherwood looked very powerful outwide.

[OldhamGal]

Who had Robinson's shirt on? Who wore Littler's?

[cockcy3]

Andy Isherwood wore Robinson's Jersey (No 15) and it was Alistair Williams who wore Littlers old Jersey (No 3 which i think was Littlers number last year).

I thought it was a good performance from both teams. Especially in saying that I beleeve this was only the 3rd outdoor outing we have had so far with the other 2 being earlier in the week. I suspect this will also be the same for the Dale lads.

Think Hulme Wood will be a handfull this year and Ben Wood played very well in the second row.

[Bos Man]

Some random observations from yesterdays game....

Ben Wood did take the eye as a large, mobile wide runner who will cause consternation amongst opposition defences this yr with his kick chase and height. He also tackled well with only the occasional miss.

I must admit I was not expecting much from Gilchrist after barely figuring for Saints U20's last season but he went ok with a good offload in the build up to the superb Williams try. At least he looked physically up for it and apart from a clean miss on Wood in the build up to one of the Hornets tries in the first half - but he won't be the first to miss him or the last - the Hornets hooker was outstanding I thought.

Wood Hulme is almost a carbon copy of Wayne Kerr in playing style. His first action was a real clumsy challenge which resulted in a Hornets penalty and he also dropped a face ball from Clough with the line begging - as I say Kerr all over... He also added the power and physicality that Wayne brought us last yr with some strong surges and big hits and he ought to be retained if he can sustain and build on that effort. He also needs to get fitter - as I say a carbon copy of Kerr...

Isherwood showed power during his time on the field but was a little cumbersome at times defending outwide. A spectacular shot from him dislodged the ball for Heaton to go the length of field in great style.

Clough as other's have suggested was quality. He played with his 'head up' varying the play with some quick switches to the blindside and a strong wide pass either side of he play the ball. Very encouraging. Mansfield by contrast barely took a step forward on attack all game but his passing and workrate are both solid and I appreciate he is a work in progress in the dummy half role.

With Whitmore as well, the potential to rotate him and Clough is a strong one at this level but unless another half back is signed I would suggest that Danny will play more as a seven than as a nine unfortunately.

Williams has demonstrated the ability to make the grade when I have seen the reserves play and he defended ok yesterday and took his try well. With Junior and persumambly Foggy to come into the centre role we will be strong in this area but I am content to have him as an alternative when required.

Diveney I hope will have better days. Although he is 23 and ought to be a player of considerable first grade experience by now he is not and it showed. He seemed to lack the confidence to take on the opposition and was content to transfer the ball to a runner quickly. By the end of the game the Hornets defence ignored him and slid onto the Oldham ball carrier outside him. He tackled with enthusiasm though but his goal kicking showed that weakness as well with a number of kickable chances missed.

I did not see Gillam or Walker - does anybody recognise the no 30 who filled in on the wing or the young back rower who came on as a sub in the second half?

I thought we showed some good touches at times and played a decent first 50 before fading and giving Hornets a sniff.

The forwards look fine and we know the backs will be more potent once more bodies are available but still looked ok.

We need to do some recruiting to boost the halves and also the goal kicking departments. Aside from Diveney - who only starting kicking last yr for the academy I believe - do we have another option? With Ashe released, McNally not back and O'Connor not retained at this stage that is all 3 choices from last yr no longer in the squad....

Oh and the floodlights - they were poor!What has happened to any announcement concerning ground improvements?

Edited by Bos Man, 03 January 2011 - 11:46 AM.

[cockcy3]

Jamie Knight was number 30 on the wing. Walker was the young substitute.

Team was

19 Heaton
30 Knight
3 Williams
20 Brocklehurst
2 Onyango
6 Roden
7 Divney
31 Gilchrist
25 Mansfield
8 Boults
23 Wood
15 Isherwood
21 Benlty

Sub:
28 Sutton
10 Ellison
29 Clough
13 Walker
16 Wood-Hulme

Hope this helps.

[beacs]

Johnny walker was on wing next to Alistair williams and number 13 was Jamie Knight

[m brooksy]

Johhny Walker was defintitely on the bench wearing thirteen and played out on the right hand side as a second row. He's got a lot of skill in attack especially in terms of off loads although he is still a brittle in defence.

Jamie Knight was on the wing wearing thirty.

[Raff]

Why is NOONE ever bloody happy at Oldham , the floodlights are fine , fair enough they should have started to put them on early in first half but thats Mr hamilton for you , then there seemed to be a issue with power , just bloody show your support for the lads this year its going to be a rough ride .

Cracking game today despite Hairnets being gifted 3 tries by ref , penalties galore kinda spoilt the game for me , Ben Heaton already recorded try of season with that fantastic effort , the champagne rugby moment had to be the alistair williams first try when 6 players all handled ball brilliantly , MOM Ben wood has nailed on his position as second row for me .

All in all Oldham beat Rochdale and the bragging rights are ours for the season ahead , so come on everyone, COME ON OLDHAM !!!

Ok a few issues with facilities to sort out,but a great result-we`d`ve taken the win and the score AND the performance before the game,especially given the bits of hype surrounding Hornets beforehand.As others have said,we have a few opportunities in a couple of positions,including hopefully another `owd `ead to help guide them.
Wouldn`t see the standard of refereeing as big thing as it`s more than likely to be a constant this season-cleverest way is to accept and for TB and the older ones to try and use it like the March Bros did/do.
So,spot on Mr beacs-totally agree with you-bob on !!

[SINGE]

Does anyone know the attendance by the way?

[saints10coach]

Does anyone know the attendance by the way?

796

[OldhamGal]

Not in a million years.

[PooingDog]

796

Hmmmm. Felt like more!

[Robthegardener.]

Some random observations from yesterdays game....

Ben Wood did take the eye as a large, mobile wide runner who will cause consternation amongst opposition defences this yr with his kick chase and height. He also tackled well with only the occasional miss.

I must admit I was not expecting much from Gilchrist after barely figuring for Saints U20's last season but he went ok with a good offload in the build up to the superb Williams try. At least he looked physically up for it and apart from a clean miss on Wood in the build up to one of the Hornets tries in the first half - but he won't be the first to miss him or the last - the Hornets hooker was outstanding I thought.

Wood Hulme is almost a carbon copy of Wayne Kerr in playing style. His first action was a real clumsy challenge which resulted in a Hornets penalty and he also dropped a face ball from Clough with the line begging - as I say Kerr all over... He also added the power and physicality that Wayne brought us last yr with some strong surges and big hits and he ought to be retained if he can sustain and build on that effort. He also needs to get fitter - as I say a carbon copy of Kerr...

Isherwood showed power during his time on the field but was a little cumbersome at times defending outwide. A spectacular shot from him dislodged the ball for Heaton to go the length of field in great style.

Clough as other's have suggested was quality. He played with his 'head up' varying the play with some quick switches to the blindside and a strong wide pass either side of he play the ball. Very encouraging. Mansfield by contrast barely took a step forward on attack all game but his passing and workrate are both solid and I appreciate he is a work in progress in the dummy half role.

With Whitmore as well, the potential to rotate him and Clough is a strong one at this level but unless another half back is signed I would suggest that Danny will play more as a seven than as a nine unfortunately.

Williams has demonstrated the ability to make the grade when I have seen the reserves play and he defended ok yesterday and took his try well. With Junior and persumambly Foggy to come into the centre role we will be strong in this area but I am content to have him as an alternative when required.

Diveney I hope will have better days. Although he is 23 and ought to be a player of considerable first grade experience by now he is not and it showed. He seemed to lack the confidence to take on the opposition and was content to transfer the ball to a runner quickly. By the end of the game the Hornets defence ignored him and slid onto the Oldham ball carrier outside him. He tackled with enthusiasm though but his goal kicking showed that weakness as well with a number of kickable chances missed.

I did not see Gillam or Walker - does anybody recognise the no 30 who filled in on the wing or the young back rower who came on as a sub in the second half?

I thought we showed some good touches at times and played a decent first 50 before fading and giving Hornets a sniff.

The forwards look fine and we know the backs will be more potent once more bodies are available but still looked ok.

We need to do some recruiting to boost the halves and also the goal kicking departments. Aside from Diveney - who only starting kicking last yr for the academy I believe - do we have another option? With Ashe released, McNally not back and O'Connor not retained at this stage that is all 3 choices from last yr no longer in the squad....

Oh and the floodlights - they were poor!What has happened to any announcement concerning ground improvements?

Thanks for another exellent match report Bosman.
Another Hairnets team battered again lol

[m brooksy]

Highlights are now on the website.

[Roughyeds Return]

Highlights are now on the website.

Is it try time? It's try time!

Someone please give him another line.

I wish they would also learn who the players are, it's not that difficult.