Palfrey sounds a warning to rivals

UP FOR THE CHALLENGE . . . Oldham skipper Lewis Palfrey.

ROUGHYEDS skipper Lewis Palfrey believes his team already belongs in the Kingstone Press Championship - and he fully intends to make it there at the end of this season.

Oldham missed out on promotion to rugby league’s second tier agonisingly at the end of last season, with Grand Final defeat against neighbours Rochdale.

But ex-Salford player Palfrey (24) is primed and ready to make the ultimate impact in his second year at Whitebank.

“We quickly had to shake off the massive Grand Final disappointment. It’s been put to bed now, and so it’s about the future, and this season. We’re only looking forward now,” he said.

“We want to win Championship One; we want promotion this time. We all feel we belong in the Championship – we’re definitely good enough.

Palfrey added: “We’ve brought some good lads in. I think the coach has strengthened the squad really well. Everyone has bought into what we’re doing, so it’s really positive. We’re looking well as a team.

“We’re better for the majority of us having had all last season together. We know what this division is all about now.”

Palfrey, who scored six tries and booted 88 goals in 22 appearances during his successful maiden Oldham season, is wary of Sunday’s Championship One opener, however.

The Roughyeds won twice at South Wales last year, but many feel the Scorpions are capable of stinging any team this season.

“To be honest I don’t think our start could be much tougher,” added Palfrey.

“We scraped our wins down there last season. It’ll be good to get that one out of the way early.

“But we don’t fear anyone in our division – there’s no need to.”