Opportunity knocks for hooker Hughes

Date published: 15 March 2013


FRIENDLIES aside, Kenny Hughes and Phil Joy will play their first senior games of the season in Oldham's Northern Rail Cup clash with Gateshead Thunder at Whitebank on Sunday (3pm).

Hughes, one of three hookers in the Roughyeds' first-team squad, has trailed Sam Gee and Adam Files in the pecking order up to now, but this weekend’s will be the game in which opportunity knocks for the St Helens-raised 22 year old.

Local boy Joy (21), Hughes's prop on many an occasion in the reserves last year, will also get a chance to win his spurs at senior level, having turned out as a permitted over-age forward in each of the two under-20s games at Leigh and Rochdale.

Coach Scott Naylor has again opted to stick with Oldham players rather than bringing in dual registered men from link club Salford City Reds.

The Roughyeds boss has confirmed Hughes and Joy will be involved and has hinted that Neil Roden and David Cookson, who are also awaiting their first senior appearance, might also be considered.

Said Naylor: "I'm going to make changes from within the squad.

“I want everyone to retain match fitness so they are always ready for action.

"On top of that I know everyone can do a good job and it's only fair for every member of the squad to be given a taste of senior action as early as possible.

"Unfortunately, I can only pick 17 in any one game."

Looking ahead to Sunday, he added: "We've got a very happy camp, and everyone is looking forward to the game.

"Thunder will be tough to beat, make no mistake.”