WEST Coast Trojans made a return to winning ways against the determined Roughnecks.

The Trojans took on the Roughnecks knowing a win was necessary to keep them in the play-off hunt.

The rescheduled game meant the club would put out their lowest squad and had a few big names like RB Jordan Falconer on holiday and QB Gary McNey sidelined with injury.

Defensive captain Fabio Marturano was also missing along with a few others.

Returning QB Jim Adams was under C and on the opening drive led the Trojans’ 80 yards with some nice runs from converted WR to RB Lorne Campbell and Josh Polson.

But it was WR Murray Hogg who latched onto an QB Adams short pass for the first score.

The defence, led by stand-in captain DE Kev Gray, were continually forcing the Roughnecks to three and out.

But it was newly-transferred local boy SS Jason Gillespie who stole the show by finishing top of the stats for tackle and broken plays.

The Trojans added a further two scores in the second quarter when rookie RB Campbell and WR Hogg scored a couple of TDs with WR Hogg and LB Strachan adding the PAT, giving a high-time score of 22-0 The third quarter followed suit, with the Roughnecks finding it tough to move the ball but their defence was making it difficult for the Trojans to move the ball too.

However, some great field positions by the D allowed the offence to add a couple of scores.

The first came from WR Calum MacAskill, who latched onto a QB Adans pass, then Rookie RB Campbell showed a nice turn of speed when he ran outside, leaving a trail of defenders en route to a nice TD run.

Both were then converted by WR Hogg and MacDonald.

The remainder of the game saw the backups get some good game time.

It worked out nicely when local rookie DB Jack Murray picked the QB and returned it 40 yards but was tackled by the last man, stopping a certain score.

HC McNey said: “We started slow but were missing half my starting OL and RB Falconer along with a few others.

“But the lads soon got going and got the scores and the win.

“The defence were awesome, giving up very little yards — 50 rush and eight rec — and keeping a clean sheet is always positive.” The Trojans’ next game is on Sunday 27 July against Dundee at home, where another win should keep the pressure on the Blackhawks and Wolves.