Naylor praises a gutsy effort

Scott Naylor

A TEXTBOOK classic it certainly wasn't, but for thrills and spills, drama at both ends, two totally committed sides giving everything and a result that was in doubt until the final siren, this was as good as it gets.

Coming back from 12-0 down to triumph 26-24, Roughyeds made it three wins in a row and turned Scott Naylor into the happiest man in Stalybridge.

It was a typically Naylor performance, based on guts, team spirit, self-belief and a burning desire to get on top ­- and stay there.

GREATER

"What a result!" exclaimed Oldham's head coach. "Great though it is to win this one, the greater achievement is winning three on the spin and picking ourselves up after losing seven, one after another.

"That takes some doing and it says everything about them as people; it's testament to their desire, their positive attitudes and their willingness to graft and fight for each other.

"I'm proud of them and I hope the fans are too because the players have shown what the club means to them. Team spirit is phenomenal.

"We did it tough today. We were off the ball to begin with, but we clawed our way back into the game, went in front and then did enough to finish winners.

"More than 80-per-cent of our boys are in their first season at this level, but they are now playing Championship rugby and displaying Championship maturity. They have come a long way.

JOBS

"We had some top individual performances, but they all do their own jobs and right now they are doing them very well.

"I thought special mention must be given, though, to Kenny Hughes, who was unbelievable. He played for 65 minutes in a demanding position like hooker and played quality stuff from start to finish.

"He showed just how good he is and how much he wants it."