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REPORT - Oldham Roughyeds 24 South Wales Scorpions 42

Sunday 1st August 2010

The aggregate score for Sunday for Wales Rugby League was "Wales 102 Greater Manchester 40" after both Crusaders and South Wales Scorpions completed outstanding wins over their northern rivals.

However the Scorpions win was extra special. Crusaders were always expected to turn Salford City Reds over, albeit but not such a high scoreline, but the Scorpions went to second placed Oldham Roughyeds as massive underdogs.

Oldham knew that they needed a win to secure second place and keep up the pressure on top side Hunslet Hawks but after Lloyd White went over under the sticks converting his own try on two minutes, they were always in control and this win keeps them in a play-off position, three points above nearest challengers Swinton Lions.

It was a high scoring game, but for the next 23 minutes, there were few chances. Scorpions were close and won a goal-line drop-out that didn't come to fruition while at the other end, Matty Ashe kicked a high grubber, but there was no-one to latch onto it and Danny Whitmore was also twice held up over line.

Scorpions extended their lead when Casey Bromilow opened up a gap for White who did well to barge under the sticks, converting again.

Oldham hit back four minutes later when Marcus St Hilaire slipped the ball to Lucas Onyongo to score. Greg McNally goaled.

Steve Parry scored Scorpions' third try. For some, it looked like that the tackle was complete when he rolled over after being grounded, but he hadn't stopped moving, the tackle wasn't complete and the quick thinking half-back got up and placed the ball just wide of the posts. Loz Wildbore converted.

But again Oldham got a try back after winning the ball back 10 metres from the line with McNally going over and converting.

The home side could have got another after winning a 40-20 with 20 seconds to go in the half but the Scorpions defence remained solid.

The Welsh were first on the board in the second half after winning a penalty. Parry fed Andrew Gay who weaved his way through the defence to ground. Wildbore converted.

Oldham were denied a try back despite winning a scrum from kick-off. Whitmore was held up over the line and Gay caught the high bomb a couple of plays later.

Scorpions increased their lead to 30-12 when Casey Bromilow intercepted and ran 95 metres to score. Lloyd White once again added the extras.

Roughyeds struck back again when Ashe broke through to score under the sticks and McNally converted.

But White restored the balance when he crossed for his hat-trick on 64 minutes and goaled himself. He then added a hat-trick of successive penalties to seal the win.

A consolation try from Ben Heaton converted by McNally in the final minute wasn't even enough to secure Oldham a bonus point as the home fans applauded off the Welsh victors.

"We've been building for a performance like that all season," said Scorpions coach Anthony Seibold. "Everything came to fruition today and it was a really good performance. Oldham are a class team, they're second in the table so it was a really satisfying victory.

"Well done to the Crusaders for their excellent win today too but an even better result came yesterday with the Crusaders under 18s defeating Hull FC away from home for their first ever victory at Super League level. We had junior East Wales v West Wales Origin matches at under 13, 14 and 15 level too which went really well so it's been an outstanding weekend for Wales Rugby League.

"We (Scorpions) have a tough game next Sunday against Doncaster back at the Gnoll. They're not far behind us in the table so their pushing hard for a play-off opportunity. It'll be nice to get back home after two really long journeys up here to Manchester. We'll enjoy this victory today but we'll need to prepare well for next week."

OLDHAM
1. Paul O'Connor
2. Lucas Onyongo
24. Marcus St Hilaire
4. Mick Fogarty
5. John Gillam
7. Matty Ashe
28. Greg McNally
8. Jason Baults
9. Martin Roden
16. Wayne Kerr
27. Ian Hodson
13. Joe Chandler
21. Valu Bentley
Subs:
10. Dave Ellison
18. Chris Clarke
17. Danny Whitmore
19. Ben Heaton

Tries: Onyongo (29), McNally (38), Ashe (55), Heaton (79)
Goals: McNally 4/4

SCORPIONS
31. Elliot Kear
14. Jamie Murphy
3. Lee Williams
5. Ashley Bateman
11. Christiaan Roets
15. Andrew Gay
37. Casey Bromilow
10. Gil Dudson
33. Lloyd White
20. Geraint Davies
6. Loz Wildbore
8. Lewis Mills
13. Aled James
Subs:
7. Steve Parry
17. Barrie Phillips
12. Neil Dallimore
24. Liam Roach

Tries: White (2, 25, 64), Parry (35), Gay (44), Bromilow (49)
Goals: White 7/7, Wildbore 2/2

Half-time: 12-18
Attendance: 908
Referee: Chris Halloran

Photo by Victoria Jane Photography