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Hunslet Hawks 10 Oldham Roughyeds 66

Keith Potter
18/ 6/2008

THE Roughyeds produced a stirring fightback to see off Hunslet Hawks on Sunday, and in producing a 56-point gap, Steve Deakin’s men secured the club’s biggest away win in seven years.

After a first half-hour when Oldham were unbelievably bad, Richard Mervill, returning to action minutes after being substituted due to an injury to Adam Robinson, charged through the Hunslet defence to score a much-needed try.

Mick Nanyn’s conversion took Oldham into the lead, and the blue touch paper had undoubtedly been lit.

With a further try from James Coyle converted by Nanyn, it took Oldham into the break with a surprising 18-10 lead.

Whatever was said by Deakin at the interval paid dividends, because a side that didn’t complete their sets, missed tackles and looked thoroughly out of touch, proceeded to run in 48 points without reply in a blistering second half.

It took only five minutes for Oldham to increase their lead with Nanyn powering over from well outfollowing good approach play from James Coyle and Neil Roden.

Oldham increased their pressure and Coyle slipped a beautiful pass to Said Tamghart who smashed his way over.

With Coyle and Nanyn combining to send Lucas Onyango streaking over, it was left to Robinson, back from injury, to put Tommy Goulden in.

Another powerful run, this time from Goulen who turned provider, slipped Ian Hodson in for his first try on his return to the club.

With the end of the game approaching, the Roughyeds then went on to score an incredible three tries in as many minutes.

Firstly Danny Halliwell intercepted before sprinting 80 metres to score, and from an attempted short kick-off, Simeon Hoyle picked up and scorched 50 metres to touch down by the sticks.

The final score was the best one of the match.

Superb handling by Hodson and Nanyn put Onyango through to hug the touch-line, before side-stepping the full-back for a brilliant try.

Oldham were home and dry, and Nanyn’s immaculate goal-kicking enabled him to secure an equal share in the club’s record points totla of 26.

Coyle and Roden controlled the match after a shaky start, but it was difficult to choose a man-of-the-match.

However, after some sheer hard work and that crucial early score, the top man was surely Mervill.

A ROUGHYEDS’ supporters’ bus to Blackpool on Sunday will leave the Black Horse at 1pm and the social club at 1.15pm. The cost is £13 and fans are asked to book early on 0161 628 3677.