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A final chance

17/ 9/2008

OLDHAM chief executive Chris Hamilton believes the Roughyeds will prove ‘a different proposition’ when they meet Rochdale Hornets in Sunday’s Grand Final eliminator at Boundary Park.

A first home defeat in 13 months, 32-20 against Doncaster, sent the Yorkshiremen into the final on September 28 and handed Oldham a second chance against their nearest – but not so dearest – rivals.

Darren Shaw’s side have enjoyed a purple patch of results, meaning they are the side with momentum going into the winner-takes-all encounter.

Mr Hamilton said: "We’re under pressure, let’s be honest about it, but at least we’ve been here before plenty of times over the last 11 years. I think that the players understand and appreciate what they need to do and I’m sure, having spoken to them, that we’ll be a different proposition and fired up in every sense of the word.  Rochdale are coming into the game in good form while we’ve got a few things to prove to ourselves.  We know they like putting one over on us and we like putting one over on them, that’s what local rivalries are all about and it adds to the intensity."

The players will have trained four times this week ahead of Sunday with Oldham coach Steve Deakin facing the dilemma of whether to recall Mick Nanyn, Chris Baines and Luke Sutton.

Meanwhile, the club has announced a second signing for the 2009 campaign with the capture of Andy Ballard from Salford City Reds.

The 22-year-old goalkicking winger has signed a one-year deal, following Rob Roberts’ example last week.

Mr Hamilton said: "He’s going to be a very good acquisition. We’re very pleased to get him on board."

SHOULD Oldham beat Rochdale, Grand Final tickets will be on sale for an hour after the game at Boundary Park.