This is our year, says Hamilton

TIGHT HOLD: Roughyeds centre David Cookson lies on his Skolars opponent.

ROUGHYEDS produced the perfect response to last week’s blip — as coach Scott Naylor and chairman Chris Hamilton expected.

With a final now beckoning — and the prospect of promotion only 80 minutes away — the chairman has every confidence his team will finish the season on a high in the play-off rematch with Rochdale at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday (2pm kick off).

The 64-8 hammering of London Skolars was Oldham’s highest score of the season and one which will take them into the final with confidence sky high.

The chairman, who has suffered heartbreaking defeats in five finals said: “This is the year we really believe we can do it. A performance like this against London was coming from the moment the players left the field so disappointed last Sunday.

“Every time they have suffered such a setback this season they have responded positively. Since Scott Naylor came to the club the work ethic and the culture in the dressing room has changed beyond recognition.

“The players are chomping at the bit to get back at Rochdale in the final. We want to do a job on them, make no mistake.”

Echoing his chairman’s comments, coach Naylor said: “We looked like our old selves. In the dressing room before the game you could sense that we were a lot more relaxed than we were the week before. There were smiles on faces. We were ready to play rugby.

“We were confident and relaxed, while still appreciating that we had a big job to do against a very good side.

“Everybody did his job and did it well, and when that happens we’ll always be a difficult team to beat. “Lewis Palfrey’s kicking game was first class, but the entire team did themselves proud. The very least they deserve is to be in the final. They have worked for this since the night we first came together last November.”