Yeds make light work of Hurricanes

Roughyeds shocked their opponents in a free-scoring first half and saw the game out to set up a loser-goes-home match against Widnes Vikings at the Halton Stadium next Sunday. They may have lost to their Cheshire rivals last week, but Yeds will fear no one after this tune-up.

Hurricanes were ill-disciplined going backwards from the start, and had no answer when Josh Drinkwater skipped across the face of the defence to drop Ted Chapelhow off against the grain to go through under the sticks. Smith scored the first of an incredible haul of personal points.

Oldham kept their foot on the gas, with Hurricane's ill-discipline again sending them backwards. Chapelhow went through again for his second of the game, Smith kept up his 100% record off the tee and Yeds led 14-0 after just 13 minutes.

Hurricanes responded with a move off the training park from the kick-off, which Yeds allowed to bounce into touch. Former Huddersfield Giants winger Aidan McGowan went over in the corner, but Sully Medforth’s right-footed effort sailed wide leaving the score at 14-4.

The game was open and expansive. As Hurricanes closed in on the Yeds line, a huge shot on Medforth came in and he knocked on. Matty Wildie picked it up and fed Smith. The Canes defence were all over the shop, and Jake Bibby walked it in from the wide channel. Smith, who had a terrific afternoon, slotted the extras.

At 20-4, the game settled, but Yeds got the end to the half they wanted. After camping on the Hurricanes line, full-back Jack Walker eventually managed to stumble across the line to score in the corner. Smith’s conversion gave Oldham a 26-4 lead with the half entering its final moments, but they weren't quite done.

After a march downfield, Drinkwater finished, cutting a hard line against the grain and diving over. Smith again added the conversion, sending the teams into the sheds with a 32-4 lead at half time.

Hurricanes started the second half better than Yeds, which was understandable given the hammering they had taken in the first half. McGowan burrowed over from close range and Medforth got off the mark off the tee, reducing the deficit to 32-10.

Oldham replied straight away. Smith’s kicking game was brilliant. A 40/20 gave Yeds and attacking platform. Taking one tackle down the short side, Yeds shifted the ball across the pitch to Adam Milner, who crashed over from close range. Smith maintained his impeccable kicking to make it 38-10.

Hurricanes came out on top in the second half, but Yeds won't worry about losing a half in a game they'd won before the break. After receiving a penalty 10 metres off the Oldham line, the ball travelled through Hurricanes' hands before Ross Oakes dived over in the corner. Medforth added the conversion.

A penalty 10 minutes from time was the final nail in the coffin for Hurricanes as Smith took the hosts to the 40 point mark.

Smith rounded off a tremendous display with a try. Wildie broke through the Hurricanes' defence out of dummy half before feeding Smith on his inside. Smith waltzed over and - surprise, surprise - kicked the conversion.

Oldham RLFC

Tries: Chapelhow (8, 12), Bibby (19), Walker (37), Drinkwater (40), Milner (52), Smith (76)

Goals: Smith (6 pen, 9, 13, 20, 38, 40, 53, 68 pen, 77)

Starting XIII
Walker, Nisbet, O’Keefe, Bibby, Simm, Smith, Drinkwater; Chapelhow, Wildie, Farnworth, Ashurst, Day, Milner
Interchanges
Geyer, Lannon, Irwin, Davies
18th Man
Forber

Midlands Hurricanes

Tries: McGowan (14, 45), Oakes, (62)

Goals: Medforth (46, 63)
Starting XIII
Woodburn-Hall, Chrimes, Sutcliffe, Oakes, McGowan, Medforth, Else, Kirby, Roden, Dickinson, Johnson, Warren, O Roberts
Interchanges
Horner, Wilkinson, Morris, Silk
18th Man
L Roberts