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[TBozz]

Having had to miss recent games I was really looking forward to this one. Fantastic advert for summer rugby, warm, pitch in decent condition and facing a Skolars side that has been strengthened by dual registered players from 'Quins. Add to that a performance from last week ,where the Skolars, from 30 - 10 pts down ( ish) went on to gain a bonus point against a very good Swinton team and this match was poised to be a close encounter.

Playing downhill, and receiving the ball, we started with an error. Skolars got head and feed and in the first minute and on only the third play they scored a richly deserved try following some good support play. Conversion wide, 0 - 4.
Was it going to be another one of "those days"? Far from it!!!

Shaken by the start, the Roughyeds put in some terrific hits and on 6 minutes, another massive hit saw the Skolars spill ball near their line and the live wire Mick Diveney scooped up the ball and touched down and added his own superb conversion. 6 - 4. More like it.

The next try followed a good kick chase pinning the Skolars on their own line and gaining little yardage, the ball was kicked into the waiting arms of Lucas. A passage of open rugby saw Ishy held up just short of the line. Rats, our mid-field general switched play to the left and following a well rehersed pre-match move, chips the ball into the corner and the very impressive Robbo catches the ball and scores in the corner. With the ball kicked just wide of the posts, the score was stretched to 10 - 4.

It was n't long before the fans were cheering and encouraging again as Boultsy hit a gap at pace only to see the final pass go astray. Would we see him in full flight again, because it is a great sight as he is playing really well this season? When we seemed to be controlling the game, the Skolars hoisted a bomb, high into the sunlit sky, and Lucas unfortunately knocked on in front of the posts. Skolars head and feed, fanned wide and Adebesi scores a very good try. 10 - 8. With ball in hand the Skolars were impressive. We needed to be more in control. There followed more Skolars pressure, as the lads put in a big hit, win back the ball, but Brocky loses it on the 20m line in the first tackle.

During the next set our wish was granted. Young Robbo clears his line majestically. Nooney makes great yards down the slope. But Martin Roden at loose, keeps the momentum flowing as he puts Boutlsy into a gap at pace and he strides out to score a great prop's try. 14 - 8 as the conversion was wide. But Boultsy and the lads returned up the field to rrousing applause from the fans. Roughyeds again in action as the young Foggy makes excellent yards down the right of the pitch. Another pre-match move practised numerous times came off superbly as Rats put in a stub kick, and Nooney follows up and times his run as the ball bounces into his hands and scores. Mick converts, 20 - 8 and the crowd are loving it.

Boulsty off to a great round of applause and the pocket battle ship signing Luke Stenchion, is on. From the re-start, Oldham are on the 20m line. By the third on half way. The fans who cry " move it wide" were treated to a fantastic try as the ball was skimmed into Foggy's hands. He ghosts down the wing and turns the ball inside like a seasoned pro into the waiting arms of Lucas who scores a superb team try. No conversion, 24 - 8.

Luke Stenchion was soon in the thick of things, driving the ball in hard, legs pumping. But it was his handling skills that also impressed. There was a short period where the game resembled a basketball match with the ball looping in the air between both sets of players, but Oldham retain possession and following a Stenchion break, he fed Elli, who then fed Stenchion in support, and it was that man Rats who took the pass to score his 100th try under the posts and help extend the lead to 30 - 8. A prop passing - twice in the play leading up to the score is a delight to see. Oldham now in full flow, break down the middle and it was that prop again, Like Stenchion who fed Brocky in support who sent the ball wide into the arms of Robbo for his second in the corner. great try! Even better convesrion, 36 - 8.

But what a great try to follow. Stenchion clears the ball well from his line. Following more drives, and the best peace of ball handling by the lads for a long time, going through what seemed like 7 pairs of hands with Valu in the clear by Rats, only for the ball to passed overhead in the tackle for Brocky to score. Luke Stenchion showed up well in two more passages of play, but Skolars were unlucky not to get a score as the ball was lost going over the line.

The second half was a real contrast with Skolars gaining far more possession. Following a greatkick - chase - Skolars knock on. Foggy was thriving in this game and made great yards. Then Nooney, drives, Elli drives and we are camped 10 out from the Skolars line. Some critics have asked for Mick to "tek em on more!" From 10 out he ran at the line, dummying left and right to imaginary players and with the full back to beat, ghosted round him to score a great individual try. 48 - 8.

We were told that Like Stenchion, "plays his weight" and he demonstrated that by putting in a massive hit and dislodging the ball gave Oldham possession again. But the Skolars must have had the rounds of the changing room as they came out in a much more determined mood. Lucas saves the day by coming off his line and the ball hits his body, 6 more to Skolars. But terrific Oldham defence and Skolars loose it on tackle 1.

Very few penalties in the game, but following a penalty to Skolars, Clement-Pascalle forces his way over. 48 - 14. The game became scrappy during the next few plays, but an outsanding solo try by Lucas set the stadium alight. Breaking from his own 20m line he sets off up the slope with 3 Skolars in full chase. Tracking alongside is Robbo. Over the halfway line they appear to be gaining on him, but he went into overdrive, and skewed his run slightly to the left to score a truly superb solo effort. 52 14.

Skolars never gave up as they continued to attack the Roughyeds line. Following some good interpassing, Clement-Pascalle scores under the posts and makes the score a more respectable 52 - 20, with the conversion going over. Would we see the lads get the last score? Following a goal line drop out the Roughyeds send another wave of attacks at the Skolars line. Mick Diveney was, I believe just given the "champagne moment for his outragously brilliant try" when he sweeps the ball right into the eager arms of Skee, who intercepts and sprints the full length of the field and scores a very good solo effort under the posts. Final score 52 - 26. Two contrasting halves, with the Roughyeds back on track in the first, and Skolars showing as they did against Swinton, that with ball in hand, and lots of possession, they have the ability to play some attractive rugby and score fine tries.

With Hornets narrowly loosing to the Cougars, the stage is set for a great local derby on Good Friday against the old enemy. Hopefully Whitebank will be packed to see two sides eager to get their season well back on track.

Having lost 3 of the last games, team spirit might well have taken a knock. But during half time, I overheard someone say that Tony B had said they had completed two weeks of terrific training. The first half was certainly a good reflection of that. People will make up their own minds about the second half, but Skolars have impressed now on two occasions against good oppositon in the second half when there has only been pride or a possible bonus point to play for. Well done to the lads!!

[graham6]

good write for those who did not see the game and we should have everybody fit for the long weekend apart from gilly,and i dont know if foggy is fit i saw him take a knock but we will need everyone of them to hard games could do to win both but i would take one and a bonus point verty hard to win both