Scrum-half Dave Hewitt scored 11 of Oldham’s 15 points as the Roughyeds prevailed 15-14 against Skolars in a tense, tight game at the New River Stadium in north London.
Centre Cam Leeming opened Oldham’s account wit a hard-earned try in the corner, but after that Hewitt took command to convert off the touchline; to score the next try himself and convert it; to land a penalty goal from near half-way; and to score Oldham’s only point in the second half with a drop goal that was ultimately to prove decisive.
Both Skolars tries were long-range breakaway efforts scored by speed men Iliess Macani and Omari Caro, both of whom burned up the metres to leave trailing defenders in their wake.
Roughyeds new boys Ed Smith and Jimmy Beckett made club debuts off the bench and both looked good as Scott Naylor’s men kept hold of third place in Betfred League 1 and set things up nicely for two massive home games on August 11 and 18 respectively against Newcastle Thunder and Doncaster.
(a more comprehensive report will follow later)
