Woolston Rovers aim to build on excellent win

WOOLSTON Rovers will be hoping to build on an excellent win over Wigan St Judes last weekend when they entertain Dewsbury Celtic in the National Conference League Division Two at the Limestone Construction Field, Monk Sports Club on Saturday afternoon, kick-off 2.30 pm.

Commenting on the fine win Rovers Head of Rugby Mal Holt said, “The display against St Judes was what we know we are capable of and we now need to produce that sort of intensity each week starting against Celtic this Saturday.

“We know the quality that we have within our Open Age set up and it is really exciting for us. We know from the past few years how difficult Celtic are to play against, and even though they have not had the best of starts, we will give them the utmost respect and prepare thoroughly as we did last week. If we can play at that disciplined intensity throughout the game then we will give ourselves a great chance of claiming the two league points.”

Meanwhile, Rovers bounced back from their opening day defeat in stunning fashion with a clinical display to beat Wigan St Judes 40-0 in the National Conference League Division Two.

Defences were on top early on with chances at a premium but it was Rovers who broke the deadlock just before the midway point of the half when hooker Adam Files scored on the right and then four minutes later a fine kick by stand-off Theo Holt was fumbled over their own line by St Judes and centre Dan Fearnley pounced on the loose ball to score on the right.

Almost immediately Rovers were over once again when A Files forced his way over after pressure on the St Judes line. Full-back Morgan Williams converted and then St Judes had scrum-half Jacob Dugdale sin-binned for a professional foul shortly followed by Rovers loose forward Ryan Brown for a similar offence as the home side went in at the break with a 14-0 lead.

Rovers stretched their advantage nine minutes into the second half when A Files sold a ‘dummy’ to the St Judes defence and he shot through the gap to complete his hat trick. Williams converted and then second row Paul Alcock and scrum-half Ben Dixon combined to create space for winger Olly Parr to go over in the left corner.

The home side was now in rampant mood and A Files went over for his fourth at the left of the posts. Williams converted and then a break by second row Scott Whiteley was carried on by Brown and he sent Alcock away on a thirty-metre run to score. Williams added the conversion.

Rovers completed a fine afternoon’s work two minutes from time when Dixon went over for their eighth try of the afternoon to round off an excellent 40-0 win for the Green & Gold men.

The Man of the Match was awarded to Rovers scrum-half Ben Dixon. He was very well supported by second row Paul Alcock, hooker Adam Files and centre Dan Fearnley.

After the game Rovers Head of rugby Mal Holt said, “That was a convincing win after the disappointing narrow defeat last week against Clock Face. It was a great response; we were on it from the warm-up and you could feel the positiveness in the lads which they took into the game. To ‘nil’ any opponent at this level is a great achievement but to put 40 points on them as well makes it even better. Our defence was excellent and set the platform for the convincing win. We have set the bar now and that is how we must prepare every week to be contenders in this division.”

ROVERS
Morgan Williams, Dan Griffiths, Dan Fearnley, Tom Byrne, Olly Parr, Theo Holt, Ben Dixon, Harry Files, Adam Files, Wez Lawton, Paul Alcock, Scott Whiteley, Ryan Brown.
Subs: Billy Sheen, Josh Sudlow, Sam Roberts, Sam Wood.

ST JUDES
Connor Parkinson, Lewis Melling, Reece Matthews, Shaun Ainscough, Barry Rothwell, Danny Cassidy, Jacob Dugdale, Tom Owen, Jason Holland, Josh Hill, Kieron Rennox, Scott Robinson, Danny Fallon.
Subs: Josh Yates, Nathan Moore, Rio Roberts, Luke Melling.