Oldham’s fingers crossed for cup tonic

HOPING to cash in on a money-spinning Tetley's Challenge Cup run, Oldham will be sweating on a home tie against an amateur club when the draw for the third round is made in Gloucester tonight.

Last year they drew a killer, losing 36-10 at Championship club Hunslet Hawks and taking a financial battering from a tie watched by 326 diehard fans whose admission money didn't come close to meeting match overheads.

It was the first time in 16 seasons, going back to the formation of the 'new' Oldham club in 1997, that the Roughyeds had gone out of the sport's biggest cup competition at what was for them the first hurdle. In the same period they posted wins against amateur clubs 16 times from as many ties,

including third and fourth-round victories in 2004, and reached the fifth round, or better, seven times.

Looking ahead to tonight's draw, Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton said: "Amateur clubs are spurred on by the chance to become giant-killers.

"For clubs like Oldham it's the start of what will hopefully be a good cup run, culminating in the opportunity to play against a top team from Super League. Either way, the cup is exciting for fans and players alike."

Oldham's last tie against Super League opposition was nearly two years ago, before Scott Naylor's arrival as coach, when they were drawn at home to St Helens.

Amateur teams in the hat tonight are the British Army, Milford Marlins, Wigan St Pat's, Hull Dockers, East Leeds, Kells, Egremont Rangers, Normanton Knights, Pilkington Recs, Wath Brow Hornets and West Hull. The draw will be made at 6.10pm at the University of Gloucester.