Bridge masterclass inspires Oldham to victory

Pre-Season Friendly: Oldham 32-12 St Helens

Danny Bridge bounced back from his indifferent game in the Law Cup loss at Rochdale to have a blinder in this one.

The Roughyeds' second-row forward was an outstanding man of the match and in tandem with his upgrade in form the whole side cranked up their contribution in the final pre-season game before the big Championship kick-off against Widnes Vikings at Bower Fold, Stalybridge on Sunday week, February 2 (3pm kick-off).

Headed by Tim Sheens, a former coach of the Australian national side, Vikings will be much tougher opposition than this Saints combination of fringe first-team men, reserve-team squad members, under-19s and Academy players.

Nevertheless, this was a truly positive offering by the Roughyeds, who showed signs they are at last getting to grips with new coach Matt Diskin's structures, methods and the expansive, entertaining and crowd-pleasing style of rugby in which he believes passionately.

Bridge scored two tries and made another for Harry Aaronson, but that wasn't all --- his general play from start to finish was top drawer stuff out wide on the left.

He got plenty of good ball too on the back of Roughyeds' desire to give the ball plenty of air at every opportunity. Early on their execution was lacking in decisiveness and too many passes went astray, but they improved as the game went on and the Saints defence lost some of its earlier sting.

With senior Saints coaches, Kristian Wolf, Richard Marshall and Paul Wellens watching from the stand, the visitors went ahead early on with a try by Paul Crook, no less, which was converted by Lewis Dodd.

The veteran Crook played a huge role in Oldham's promotion success last season, as stand-off, goalkicker and a member of the coaching panel, but he has since rejoined the Saints club where his long career began all those years ago.

As reserve-team player-coach he had a controlling role to play here, surrounded by his highly-talented youngsters, but it was appropriate that on his old Vestacare Stadium stomping ground he should score the try that would have given him so much satisfaction.

It took Oldham more than half an hour to hit the scoresheet, but tries by right-wing Declan Kay and right-centre James Worthington just before half-time -- one of them improved by Dan Abram -- sent them in at half-time with a 10-6 lead.

Saints regained the lead early in the second half when Matthew Costello got over in the corner and Dodd added the goal off the touchline.

After that, though, it was all Oldham. Despite going into the game with only one recognised prop, Phil Joy, they were well served up the middle by Danial Igbinedion, Liam Bent and substitute new boy Matthew Fletcher, who gave an impressive performance on debut.

Bridge on the left and Danny Langtree on the right were constant threats out wide yet, oddly enough, it wasn't until centre Worthington was sin-binned for dissent in the 68th minute that the home side regained the lead and then went on to wrap up the game.

Bridge raced in for his two tries inside five minutes, the second after a defence-splitting break by half-back Dave Hewitt, who also had a top game against his old club, as did his half-back partner Lewis Charnock.

No sooner had Hewitt sent in Bridge than Charnock worked his magic to create a try for Kyran Johnson.

Then, as the final hooter sounded, Aaronson scored in the corner after a Hewitt cross-kick and the intervention of Bridge, who soared high into the air to provide the winger with his chance to score.

It was a very satisfying night for Roughydeds, whose fans have the opportunity to meet and greet new coach Matt Diskin and his players in the Vestacare Stadium social club at 7pm tonight (Thurs).

Oldham scorers: tries, Kay (32), Worthington (38), Bridge (71, 76), Johnson (78), Aaronson (80); goals, Abram 1/2; Hewitt 3/4.

Team: Abram; Kay, Worthington, Smith, Johnson; Charnock, Hewitt; Joy, Osen, Igbinedion, Langtree, Bridge, Bent. Subs: Aaronson, Brook, Wilkinson, Fletcher.

Ref: Stephen Race; Att: 318; HT, 10-6; Pens: 9-7.

By Roger Halstead