Roughyeds cruise to victory at Crusaders

by Ryan Booth

Oldham RLFC built on Tuesday’s Challenge Cup heroics as they cruised to a 30-2 triumph over Betfred League 1 strugglers North Wales Crusaders at the Queensway Stadium.

Danny Bridge and Joe Martin’s respective doubles, alongside further scores from Zack McComb and Phil Joy, ensured Scott Naylor’s side emerged as deserved winners on a comfortable afternoon in Wrexham.

After conceding an early penalty the Roughyeds found themselves behind with just two minutes on the clock, Tom Johnson confidently converted the goal in front of the sticks - on what was his 150th Crusaders appearance.

Midway through the half, Oldham forced the hosts into a goal-line drop out and subsequently scored a minute later as Zack McComb found the line from close range - though Paul Crook missed the resulting conversion.

Crusaders almost restored their lead when Tom Johnson combined with dual-reg Widnes man Stanton Albert - but Albert was unable to keep hold of the ball and consequently knocked on just when a try looked a certainty.

The game was proving an intense encounter and Oldham were over again ten minutes after McComb’s effort, however Danny Langtree’s score was chalked off as referee Andy Sweet pulled back play due to an earlier knock on.

Naylor’s side were in a ruthless mood and found themselves over again minutes later, this time a free-flowing move forged enough space for Joe Martin to touch down and claim his maiden try for the club, Crook’s conversion effort was unsuccessful in what was essentially the final action of the half.

Oldham picked up where they left off after the break and extended their lead further when Danny Bridge burst through a gap in the Crusaders defence before diving over, after some good work from Kenny Hughes and David Hewitt had kick-started the play - Crook added the extras to claim his first goal of the day.

The home side looked jaded throughout the second period and found themselves on the end of another Roughyeds try minutes later as Phil Joy powered over before Crook duly converted to take the visitors up to the 20-point mark.

Unfortunately for Crusaders, Oldham weren’t finished there as Bridge claimed his second, before Martin broke 80 metres and touched down to complete his own brace with what was a sublime individual effort.

Crook converted Martin’s score to put 30 points on the board for the Roughyeds and cap-off a fine all-round team performance.

Oldham: Martin, Eccleston, Holmes, McComb, West, Crook, Hewitt, Joy, Wilkinson, Nzoungou, Bridge, Langtree, Bent.

Interchanges: Hughes, Spencer, Nelmes, Briscoe.

NW Crusaders: Johnson, Conroy, Davidson, Baker, Bloomfield, Roper, Sheen, Walker, Hudson, M Leuluai, Houghton, Atherton, Case.

Interchanges: Moore, Brennan, Albert, Trumper.

Oldham Scorers: Tries-  McComb (21’), Martin (36’, 77’), Bridge (56’, 71’), Joy (65’)

Goals- Crook (56’, 65, 78’)

NW Crusaders Scorers: Tries-  N/A

Goals- Johnson (2’)

Referee: Andy Sweet

Touch Judges: I Arnold and J Barr

Chronicle Man of the Match: Danny Bridge

Attendance: 449