9 replies to this topic

[TBozz]

Having had to miss the pre-season games so far, this was just the tonic I needed. Most people suspected that newly promoted Hunslet, with a strengthened squad would provide a very stern test for the Roughyeds.

In a penalty strewn game the Roughyeds were awarded a penalty in the early seconds. Following the first real passage of play, Rats put in a poor kick but followed up with a terrific tackle. Penalty no 2 was awarded to Hunslet and on tackle 6 a great kick to the left saw Kain touch down. A great conversion made it 0 - 6. Hunslet continued to pressurise the lads but with some scrappy play from both sides. Lucas came out of his line to save a try and knocked on. Oldham defended their line and Hunslet knocked on. Then a further knock on saw Hunslet get the ball back deep in Oldham territory. Ben Wood put in a bone crunching tackle, but after great defence the line was breached again on 14 minutes by Haughey and the score was 12 nil. Was this going to be like last season when the Hawks played error free rugby to hand out a real walloping?

Tony Benson's lads were in no mood to lie down and needed to get the ball in hand. Hunslet knocked on, on the 6th tackle due to mean defence by Oldham. The impressive Ben Heaton at full back gathers making excellent yards. Running up the slope, Oldham choose to run it on the last and were deep in Hunslet territory. It was soon Oldham's turn to apply the pressure and Noone sent out a peach of a pass to Jack Bradbury, who burst over on the left. Mike Diveney narrowly missed with a fine a kick. At this point Cloughy is brought on and is soon in action as he meets and tackles Barnett head on. It was a real battle on the park today as Ben Heaton diffused a high bomb and then Oldham loosing the ball later in a ferocious tackle. Oldham were awarded 3 penalties in succession for what appeared to be talking back to the ref. Camped on the Hunslet line, a neat chip through saw Hunslet re-start on the 22m. But with both teams clearly not set, play was allowed to continue with Hunslet making good yards. Puzzled as to whether the rule had ben changed, Oldham tried it later in the half only to be pulled back.

More great defence by Oldham saw Hunslet spill the ball on the half way and Tom Wood-Hulme took up the ball for the first time and scattered players in front of him like skittles. More pressure from Hunslet saw Lucas gather a great kick and make excellent yards up the pitch. But penalty to Oldham for an alleged knee, and Hunslet are down to 12 men. This was just the incentive the lads needed and utilising the extra space in the middle, Rats put in his second amazing run up the slope, only this time with one defender facing, he had 5 players in support. Who should be on his shoulder but the superb John Clough, who hit the ball at pace and raced under the posts on 32 mins. Mick Diveney slotted the ball between the "Hollands" "H's" and it was 10 - 12 and game on. With the adrenalin flowing, it was Cloughy again who broke free inside his own half, running fully 40 yards up the slope brushing off defenders and as the last tackler swung high, he spun round towards the right touch line and Mick Diveney was on hand to run in the remaining yards to complete the second of two brilliant tries by the Roughyeds in quick succession. 14 - 12 and after he converted his own try 16 - 12. The support play in the last two tries was excellent with no fewer than 5 or so players on hand to receive the final pass.

After a couple of drives Oldham loose the ball due to the ferocity of the Hunslet defence. Hunsket tried to stretch Oldham out wide, but great defence prevented a further score. But another six to Hunslet. For not the first time the lads faced successive sets of six, and bang, another tackle sees Hunslet spill the ball. 16 - 12 on half time.

We needed to start the ahlf with no penalties, but after a scrappy 5 minutes Oldham are back in possession inside their own half . The ball is moved left, Jack Bradbury draws the defence and puts out a great pass into the bread basket of John Gillam, who rounds the defender with the line in sight and sprints from just over the halfway to score another brilliant try. Mick converted and the lads had scored an astonishing 22 unanswered points. 22 - 12.
Hunslet came to win this game and would play until the final whistle. With ball in hand Hunslet looked a good outfit. Pryce was in the clear but a great ankle tap sent him crashing to the ground. When they moved the ball wide they showed great skill and Clayton scored an excellent try wide out on 52 minutes. Following a fantastic conversion from the touchline it was game on again. 22 - 18.

In the second half Oldham must have defended at least five sets on their own line. But defence was the real game breaket as Hunslet tried in vain to break the Roughyeds resolve and continue with another score. Penalty after penalty followed but the line of defence held out. If Hunslet kicked through we were sharp and gathered or diffused the situation. Following a drop out from under the sticks, Hunslet attacked the line again and the superb Ben Heaton gathers a high kick. But at last a penalty to Oldham. Oldham made terrific yards, was Martin Roden through? Cousin Neil, follows up with another of his trade mark breaks and follows the move up with a deft kick to the corner for new boy Jack Bradbury to touch down and score his second. Mick Diveney looked every part the first team player as he cooly slotted over his fourth to make it 28 - 18. The game was rough, tough, but never got out of hand, mainly due to the composure of the players. Rats took a hand off to the face and was down on the floor for some time. Hunslet again peppered our line but it held out. Defence was the key to this hard fought victory. But it was Rats who was adjudged to have put in a high shot with 7 minutes remaining on the clock and was sent to the bin. The Roughyeds held out with 12 men only to see Yates get the ball 30 yards out and as he saw a gap he ghosted through to score what should have been an easy 6 points. At 28 - 22, the conversion was a formality, or was it? To the relief of the Oldham fans the ball was completely mis-kicked and went well wide.

A terrific win for the Roughyeds, not only was revenge sweet for the drubbing last season, but it was the manner in which the game was won. Excellent tries scored by both teams but Oldham's support play and defence won the day.

Well done lads.

[Geoff52]

Many thanks for the excellent write-up.
We're away down South so couldn't make use of our Season tickets.

We're extremely pleased with the result and more pleased with the way we played, as usual we hope for the best but fear the worst...Could this be the start of a more succesfull season ?

[AmigoTopping]

I concur a fantastic team performance today. The lads showed great commitment on defence and Clough looked to be the missing piece in the jigsaw, great signing!!

[Tony Mac]

Once again TBozz a true reflection of the day's action. Defence was the key to a great win yesterday, especially out on the flanks, which seemed to be our downfall last season. The forwards worked hard and intelligently and shared the work out well. Thought Rats and Diveny had good solid games in the halfs, the whole of the pack, whichever 6 were on the pitch, played as a unit on both attack and defence and Ben Heaton looks extremely comfortable at Fullback. But the stand out player for me was Clough who seemed to change the game in our favour everytime he took to the park. I also think that he would make a good Halfback if called on. Have to agree with Amigo Topping - a great signing.


Tony Mac
The King Of Wishful Thinking

[Roughyeds Return]

A very good start against a team that gave us a rugby lesson at Whitebank last season.

Clough made the difference when he came on, but why start with Martin Roden, he is too slow around the play the ball, in my opinion we should start with Clough and have Whitmore on the bench, they are the best two hookers at the club. Martin has been a good servant through difficult times, but now time to concentrate on his other roles.

We certainly seemed fitter and overall we are probably bigger than we were last season, which has to be a bonus on a pitch like ours. Would like to see Ben Wood back in the second row rather than at centre, as I thought he was very impressive and more in the game against Rochdale, think his appearance at centre may have been to combat the physicality of their outside backs.

Diveney did OK, but he got out of jail with that missed kick to touch (when we were under pressure and a man down), yes they came back to score from the subsequent set but March missing the kick (how we laughed!!!) was crucial, had they got to a 4 point gap, who knows! Think Diveney needs to run the ball a bit more though.

The pack were excellent and defence superb. We definetely looked fitter than Hunslet.

Very encouraged by what we have done in the last couple of games and looking forward to a good season. Next two games will be a test at Fax and Swinton, but if we play as we did yesterday we can compete.

Ce message a été modifié par Roughyeds Return - 07 février 2011 - 01:19 .

[oldhamer]

The key to the win was defence. Getting numbers into the tackle, instead of going for one on one big hits was a major factor to Hunslets downfall. Last year at Whitebank, their forwards plus the March brothers, bullied us all around the paddock, but Sunday was alot more difference - we outplayed and bullied them for the majority of the game. Man of the Match for me was Noone, his defence was flawless all afternoon, and always looked for work, he must of covered every inch of the paddock yesterday, In addition, both Heaton and Onyangos returns was another turning point, with good safe hands and the brains to get out of trouble.
All in all a positive performance, and with the morale high, and the pressure off at Halifax, who knows what the outcome will be on Sunday.

[m brooksy]

I had Clough for the MOTM because he changed the game but Noone was superb. I was stood right near where Roden made his two breaks in the first half and it was down to Noone spotting March out of position and telling Ratty to attack his inside shoulder as the cover defence wasn't getting across. Super rugby brain and his experience could prove crucial as the season unfolds.

[TOSH1960]

I had Clough for the MOTM because he changed the game but Noone was superb. I was stood right near where Roden made his two breaks in the first half and it was down to Noone spotting March out of position and telling Ratty to attack his inside shoulder as the cover defence wasn't getting across. Super rugby brain and his experience could prove crucial as the season unfolds.

Totally agree, Clough was surely MOTM, he and Noone are cracking signings. Roll on Halifax next Sunday.

[rocksinthehead]

A NEAT GAME AND A PLEASURE TO WATCH.BUT WE STILL NEED ANOTHER SCRUM HALF
FIX THEM SHOWERS CH

[SINGE]

A NEAT GAME AND A PLEASURE TO WATCH.BUT WE STILL NEED ANOTHER SCRUM HALF
FIX THEM SHOWERS CH

Why do you insist on shouting?