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A tough tie

9/ 7/2008

ROUGHYEDS’ chief executive Chris Hamilton has called on the team to replicate the efforts of 2007 and win at Barrow tomorow night.

Oldham were victorious in an end-of-season play-off match up in Cumbria on their way to the play-off final.

Friday’s match sees Oldham travelling to the Co-operative National League Two leaders with Barrow doubtless smarting from their loss against Hunslet Hawks last weekend.

That allowed the third-placed Roughyeds to close to within four points of Barrow thanks to their late victory at Workington.

Mr Hamilton said: "I perhaps get sick of saying it but any team is capable of beating anyone else in this division.

"Last week was an example of that so it’s set up for a fantastic game on Friday night. Last year we went up there in the play-offs and produced one of our best displays. They’re going to be smarting from the Hunslet game but our lads have been switched on whenever they’ve had to be and put in some great performances.  (Oldham coach) Steve Deakin has spoken about winning every game left, but even though we know that’s a big ask, we’ll go up if we do it.It’s great that the club has got these games because they’re the sort of matches you look forward to, top-of-the-table clashes."

Skipper Rob Roberts is anticipated to be available despite a hand injury, although much of the attention will surround in-form centre Mick Nanyn.

His 16 points at Workington took him to 306 for the season, only 14 adrift of Pat Rich’s 2001 club record.

Mr Hamilton said: "He’s come in for a bit of stick this season from some quarters but his record speaks for itself.  He may well agree that last Sunday wasn’t his best game but he scored a hat-trick of tries, kicked the goals and we won."