Solid as a rock under pressure

Photo: Dave Murgatroyd

Swinton 8 v Oldham Rugby 30 in the Division 1 Super 8 Play offs at Heywood Road Sale Adam Clay Try

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NO celebrations yet, but Oldham are looking good for Championship survival after an inspirational defensive display in a resounding win at Swinton.

Key elements in a 30-8 triumph were David Hewitt's two 'sniffer' tries, Adam Clay's length-of-the-field interception score, Danny Langtree's brilliant game-breaker midway through the second half and Lewis Palfrey's seven goals from eight shots, which included four, yes four, penalty goals.

OBSESSED

How often do you see as many penalties as that in a sport that is obsessed these days with the three 'Ps' ­- possession, position and pressure?

The modern trend is to overlook penalty-goal chances in favour of keeping the ball, going for the jugular and pushing to turn pressure into points.

Palfrey goals as early as the 11th and 27th minutes, however, suggested a tactical rethink ­- one that was to yield eight points thanks to the Oldham captain's accuracy and the frequency with which the Lions were penalised.

All those were key to an impressive win which puts Scott Naylor's men level on points with Dewsbury Rams and within touching distance of a Shield play-off spot.

But the biggest single factor was the collective defensive effort in the second half, most of which was played in Oldham's half with Swinton monopolising the ball and mounting raid after raid of attack on both flanks and down the middle.

Shaun Robinson twice squeezed over in the corner for Swinton ­- once in each half ­- but beyond that Oldham tackled and covered all afternoon like a well-oiled machine to cause utter panic and frustration in the Lions' den.

Langtree and Gary Middlehurst, in the second-row, were superb, while Joe Burke joined in off the bench to work incredibly hard.

BENCH

Jack Spencer also did well off the bench in his first run-out for ages.

Oldham made a great start when Jamel Chisholm, on the left wing, pushed off his opposite number, Robinson, and threw the ball inside to the supporting Hewitt, who raced in for a try which Palfrey improved with only five minutes on the clock.

Three quick penalties for high shots kept Roughyeds in charge and from one of them Palfrey's boot put the visitors further ahead.

8-0 became 10-0, but just after the half-hour mark Swinton halves Chris Atkin and Matty Beharrell launched a right-wing raid which finished when winger Robinson escaped Chisholm's clutches with a left-arm fend to score in the corner. Atkin's conversion attempt hit the far post and bounced out.

As Lions continued to press, Oldham were indebted to Kieran Gill for a try-saving tackle on Robinson .

INTERCEPTED

The ball was then moved quickly from right wing to left wing where Swinton looked dangerous again before Clay intercepted a pass to Liam Marshall and raced away to score score from distance with Oldham fans roaring him on every inch of the way.

This time Palfrey's kick hit a post and bounced out, but he made no mistake on the stroke of half time with his third penalty goal for a 16-4 interval lead.

Early in the second half Kenny Hughes and Scott Turner sent Burke galloping over the Lions' line, but the big prop was held up under the posts.

After that, Lions laid siege on Oldham's line for 20 minutes or so before Langtree took matters into his own hands and scored a brilliant solo try after pushing off several tacklers.

Palfrey converted for a 22-4 lead and Oldham were as good as home.

Robinson scored a consolation try for Swinton near the end - his second of the game against his hometown club ­- but Atkin couldn 't add the extras.

The accurate Palfrey showed him how by kicking his fourth penalty from long range and then converting Hewitt's last-gasp try after a splendid blind-side attack featuring the lively Gareth Owen and centre Gill.

'Sniffer' Hewitt lined himself up on Gill's shoulder, took the pass, and raced away to the sticks. Easy when you know how.