GREAT EFFORT: Simon Baldwin (left) and Phil Joseph work hard to hold up a Dewsbury Rams attack.

by MATTHEW CHAMBERS

OLDHAM tonight await their fate after becoming the only non Super League side to confirm their place in the quarter-finals of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

The merciless 58-12 hammering of a sorry Dewsbury outfit not only earned Steve Deakin’s side a slice of history — this is the first time the post-1997 club has reached the last eight — but also served to put to bed the unrest which had surrounded the Roughyeds over the last few weeks following under-par performances.

A bumper pay day could now lie in wait when tonight’s draw is made.

And with Boundary Park out of commission, officials will be once again crossing their fingers for an away tie at one of the game’s big names.

With all profits from Challenge Cup ties split evenly between the clubs involved, a trip to one of the two Hull clubs or Leeds Rhinos would be ideal from a financial perspective.

But having had some bad luck with such matters in the past, chief executive Chris Hamilton isn’t yet counting his chickens.

“We will just have to wait and see what hand we are dealt,” said Mr Hamilton, who was delighted at the level of support shown by a good number of travelling supporters yesterday.

“I have been here too long to start picking out teams we would like to face.

“But it is great to see seven Super League teams and Oldham in the draw.”

Mr Hamilton also played down events of the past week, in which coach Steve Deakin has said he would be prepared to stand down if it was felt necessary, focusing instead on the recent strides Oldham have made.

“It was a case of ‘crisis, what crisis?’,” added Mr Hamilton.

“We just needed a reality check of where the club is and where it is going, and nobody can complain when you look at the big picture.

“It was very satisfying to get the result and the performance.”

The only injury worry to emerge yesterday concerned Rob Roberts, who came off in the first half with a tight hamstring.

However, it isn’t serious and the captain is expected to be back for this weekend’s home National League two match against Swinton, the last at Boundary Park before the regular summer pitch work gets underway.


     

TONIGHT’S Challenge Cup quarter-finals draw will be broadcast on the BBC News Channel from 6.45pm.

Wigan play Whitehaven this evening, but already confirmed as through along with Oldham are Leeds, St Helens, Bradford, Hull KR, Hull FC and Wakefield.

The last eight ties will be played on the weekend of May 31 and June 1.     

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