Big wins puts Oakdale in line for promotion (From Campaign Series)

Big wins puts Oakdale in line for promotion

10:11am Wednesday 20th March 2013 in Sport

Big wins puts Oakdale in line for promotion

Oakdale 49 Machen 5

OAKDALE moved into second place in Welsh Division 4 East after thrashing Machen 49-5 in a recordbreaking victory on Thursday night.

The rugby team are now setting their sights on a possible end-ofseason promotion following their fifth consecutive win at the Recreation Ground.

They beat Machen with a total of eight tries to their visitors’ one at the start of the second half.

It was Oakdale’s best performance this season, surpassing their 45-11 victory over Chepstow in December.

Thursday’s momentous victory included two memorable tries by Trevor James in the 76th and 78th minutes.

The inside centre almost turned it into a hat-trick but was tackled as he ran for the line moments before the final whistle.

Outside half Simon Veall gave Oakdale the lead with a try he also converted nine minutes into the game while scrum half Robert Clayton also scored two tries in the first half.

Open side flanker Adam Johnston gave Oakdale two more tries in the second half and winger Michael Lindon scored another.

The outright victory left captain David Tovey and his men very pleased with just eight games until the end of the season in May.

“This is our top win of the season,”

a club spokesman said on Monday.

“I think part of the reason for the win is Machen are having a difficult season.

“They are second from the bottom and they’ve lost a few players.

“We always expected we would win because we’re near the top and they’re near the bottom.

“I guess it was a good team performance with good dominance by the forwards and some good running rugby from the backs.”

The team will next face Monmouth away on March 30, unless they can arrange an early mid-week game with Blaenau.

There was also plenty of excitement for the players at the weekend as they watched Wales retain their Six Nations trophy at the club off Llwynon Lane.

“I don’t think anybody could have predicted how much of a victory it was going to be but it was brilliant,”

the club spokesman said.

“It’s good for Welsh rugby.”