Woolston Rovers defeat Saddleworth Rangers in National Conference

He made his thoughts known after Rovers returned to winning ways 26-14 in National Conference League Division Two at home to Saddleworth Rangers on Saturday.

Rovers' win came courtesy of tries from Harry Files, Joe Roper, Sean Boyle, Alex Pendlebury and Adam Files, along with three conversions from Ben Dixon.

“It was a much needed win," said Sheen.

"We have had a bit of a sticky patch lately and I’m hoping that this gets us back to playing how we know we can.

"We completed ok in the first 20 minutes then kind of went away from what we were doing well and they scored a couple of tries.

"We started slowly in the second half, conceding again, but after that shaky spell we found our feet and got on a roll.

"There are not many teams in the competition that can deal with us when we play like that but we need to do it for the full game and not just in short spells.

"We completed at 75 per cent but need to be aiming for the 80 per cent mark and above to make sure we win games.

"If we can get the lads' commitment and hard work for the remainder of this season then I have no doubt that we will be up there challenging for automatic promotion.”

Rovers opened the scoring after seven minutes with a try from loose-forward Harry Files that was converted by scrum-half Dixon but then just after the midway point of the half Saddleworth replied when hooker Billy England crossed for a converted try.

The visitors took the lead six minutes later when Whitehead managed to force his way over from close range but then three minutes before the break Rovers full-back Joe Roper got on the end of a flowing passing movement to score on the left. Dixon added the conversion to give Rovers a slender 12-10 half-time advantage.

Three minutes into the second half the elusive Whitehead went over for his second try to put his side back ahead but then eight minutes later Rovers substitute Boyle burrowed over from dummy half to put the home side back into the lead.

Just after the hour mark quick hands by Rovers saw the ball find winger James Tarpey, now playing at full back, linking into the line and he combined with centre Dan Fearnley to put winger Pendlebury over wide out on the right to put Woolston six points ahead.

As the game entered the final five minutes Rovers had stand-off Ryan Brown sin binned for a shoulder charge and then a minute from time Saddleworth scrum half Steven Nield was yellow carded for a professional foul and from the resulting penalty Rovers hooker Adam Files went on his own to score on the left.

Dixon added the conversion to complete a hard fought 26-14 win.

The man of thematch was awarded to Rovers loose forward Harry Files. He was very well supported by prop forward Ryan Palin and winger Alex Pendlebury.

Rovers: Joe Roper; James Tarpey, Cameron Davies, Dan Fearnley, Alex Pendlebury; Ryan Brown, Ben Dixon; Ryan Palin, Adam Files, Ryan Hickman, Joe Craven, Scott Whiteley, Harry Files. Subs: Simon Bishop, Sam Vernon, Blake Turner, Sean Boyle.