WOOLSTON Rovers NCL side will be looking to back up their excellent win last weekend at Waterhead Warriors when they make another trip to Oldham to face Saddleworth Rangers in the NCL League C. Kick off is 2.30pm.
Commenting on last weekend’s victory, Rovers Head of Coaching Mal Holt said, “We were clinical last weekend and we know that we will need to be just as ruthless this weekend, if not even more so, as Saddleworth will provide us with a very tough fixture; they had a good win last weekend over Clock Face Miners so will be confident but we will be equally buoyant after our display so it promises to be a cracker. We are looking a lot stronger with a few bodies back available and that showed at Waterhead; we feel that with a settled side we can cause problems for any team. We still have a lot of improvement in us and that is what excites me going forward. Our ‘A’ team are also performing well and putting pressure on the lads who currently have the shirt. This healthy competition is proving to be invaluable.”
Rovers had bounced back to winning ways in sublime fashion with a clinical display to comprehensively defeat Waterhead Warriors last Saturday afternoon at Peach Road, Oldham.
Rovers got off to the perfect start by opening the scoring in the very first minute; an error from the kick-off by the visitors was then copied by Waterhead and that allowed hooker Adam Files to make a break and he slipped the ball to prop forward Sam Roberts who kept the ball alive and scrum-half Ryan Brown picked up before passing out to winger Dan Griffiths who scored in the right corner and then nine minutes later pressure paid off as standoff Theo Holt found centre Kieran Moore who scored on the left.
Just before the half-hour mark fine work from prop forward Harry Files was carried on by A Files who found substitute Ben Moore and he crashed over at the right of the posts. Full back Aaron Barber converted but then five minutes before the break Waterhead got on the scoreboard when second-row George Maders went over for a try following a penalty to make the interval score 14-4 in Rover’s favour.
Five minutes into the second half a fine break by A Files put Rovers deep into the opposition half and some slick passing saw the ball reach Roberts who scored on the right. Barber converted and then just after the hour the lead was increased when H Files scored. Barber added the conversion.
Rovers were now in total control and following a penalty A Files sent H Files on a thirty-metre run to score his second try. Barber goaled and then a minor skirmish saw Griffiths sin-binned for Rovers along with Waterhead scum half Bradley Jinks and second-row Callum Cameron and the extra man advantage paid off when B Moore cleverly pinched the ball in a one-on-one tackle and a quick play the ball saw A Files find Holt who weaved through to score. Barber added the conversion.
The scoring was completed two minutes from time when Rovers second-row Cameron Davies took the ball in and slipped out a lovely ball to A Files who scored on the left. Barber converted to round off a very impressive 44-4 victory for the Green & Gold men.
The Man of the Match was awarded to Rovers prop forward Harry Files. He was very well supported by hooker Adam Files, prop forward Sam Roberts and substitute Josh Sudlow.
Meanwhile, Rovers ‘A’ continued their climb up the league table with a third successive win last weekend and will be looking to make it four wins in a row when they travel to play Chester Gladiators in the NWML Division three. Kick-off is 2.30pm at The Cheshire County Sports Club, Plas Newton Lane, Chester
Rovers ‘A’ Coach Liam Lawton said, “Last weekend was a really tough game and to come through that and get the win certainly puts us in a great place; we will be anticipating another difficult game at Chester who will be buzzing from a big win at Crosfields ‘A’ last Saturday. We will just need to keep our composure and make sure that we do not make any silly mistakes or give away cheap field position. If we can stick to what we do best then we will have a great chance.”
Anyone who would like to be involved at Woolston Rovers in any capacity, please contact Club Secretary Nikki Whalley on 07889 170895, e-mail [email protected] or log on to the club website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/woolstonroversrlfc/ for further details.
