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Rochdale Hornets 26 - 20 Oldham Roughyeds

Mike Floyd
29/ 1/2008

PRIDE in performance, attitude first class, superb tackling, speed of thought, intuitive and off the cuff plays, organisation in defence and attack, no egos – all for one and one for all.

This is what Bobbie Goulding and his coaching staff have brought to Spotland since their arrival. And it showed in spades at Spotland on Sunday as Hornets won an enthralling derby against Oldham Roughyeds and claimed the Law Cup.

Hornets were first at the races, and after a period of sustained pressure they took the lead on four minutes when former Oldham captain Ian Sinfield crashed over out wide. Chris Hough converted.

Oldham were back in the match five minutes later when, from a scrum on Hornets’ 22, they whipped the ball wide for speedy winger Marcus St Hilaire to score in the corner.

Hornets responded in kind to create an overlap for winger Eric Andrews, but excellent cover defence kept him out.

When the visitors spurned a golden opportunity – Danny Halliwell choosing to go on his own when a simple pass to Craig Littler would have set up a simple try – they were made to pay for their profligacy.

Hornets powered downfield and Martin Ainscough skipped through a comatose Oldham defence to score a fine individual try. Hough added the extras.

On the stroke of half time Sam Butterworth was pulled back as he chased a trademark chip over the top and Hough banged over the penalty to give the hosts a 14-4 interval lead.

The second half started in the same vein, with Hornets spirited defence providing a platform for some fine attacking play.

With 10 minutes gone Craig Bowers astute kick bounced kindly for fullback Chris Campbell who pounced to score. Bowers tagged on the two.

Oldham then showed a glimpse of what might be to come as James Coyle’s perfectly weighted pass sent Rob Roberts through for a try.

The visitors’ joy was short lived as Bowers’ tantalising cross-kick was plucked from the sky by an airborne Ainscough who gleefully touched down. Bowers converted.

Goulding rang the changes to ensure all 25-players were given a run out, and this allowed Oldham to exploit a momentary lapse in the Hornets’ defence, Phil Joseph sneaking in from close range. Nanyn converted.

With seven minutes to go Oldham kept the ball alive superbly and Joseph provided the killer pass to Jason Boults who bulldozed his way over the line. Nanyn kicked the goal to close the gap to six points.

This signalled an all-out assault by Oldham in the closing stages, as they threw everything at Hornets.

The home defence, though, didn’t buckle, and the final action of the game saw Hornets’ man of the match Ian Sinfield dribble the ball over the Oldham line.

He was about to drop on the loose ball when, from nowhere, St Hilaire dived and got a hand to the ball.

It would have been the icing on the cake for Sinfield whose efforts won him the Karl Marriot Trophy. It was no more than he deserved.

Match facts

Hornets: Chris Campbell, Eric Andrews, Mike Stout, Chris Spurr, Alex Brown, Martin Ainscough, Chris Hough, David Best, Jimmy Elston, David Newton, Ian Sinfield, Paul Alcock, Craig Farrimond, Sam Butterworth, Todd O'Brien, Craig Robinson, Andrew Marsh, Craig Bower, Mark Roughneen, Benji Lloyd, Chris Forster, Andrew Gorey, Wes Lawton, Simon Svabic, Tom Wild.Tries: Sinfield (4), Ainscough (23, 58), Campbell (50). Goals: Hough 3, Bower 2.

Oldham: Paul O'Connor, Danny Halliwell, Craig Littler, Mick Nanyn, Simeon Hoyle, James Coyle, Matty Brooks, Simon Baldwin, Phil Joseph, Jason Boults, Tommy Grundy, Robert Roberts, Tommy Goulden, Marcus St Hilaire, Adam Robinson, Said Tamghart, Chris Baines, Warren Stevens. Tries: St Hilaire (8), Roberts (56), Joseph (63), Boults (73). Goals: Nanyn 2.

Click on the video window to see highlights of the match courtesy of Channel M's Code XIII ...