Replacements were chomping at the bit

SCOTT Naylor did some squad juggling for the final game of the season - partially to have as many players as possible fit for play-offs duty.

Skipper Lewis Palfrey, vice-captain Sam Gee and winger Mo Agoro were given a day off and replaced by Steven Nield, Dale Bloomfield and Ben Wood. Michael Ward, a starting prop at Gateshead, was back on the bench, from where he invariably makes the biggest impact. Danny Langtree was handed the captaincy.

Naylor was particularly pleased at the way in which Bloomfield, on the left wing; Nield, at full-back; and Wood, off the bench, slotted into the side and looked like they had never been away.

“They were chomping at the bit to get back in and I was delighted they played so well,” said the Oldham boss.

“I can only play 17 and the lads who are left out see me as the bad guy. Even at this late stage of the season, Dale, Nieldy and Woody couldn’t wait to get back in, and that was reflected in how they played.”

The 68-point tally was Oldham’s highest in Naylor’s two seasons at Whitebank.

He added: “I’m pleased as we head off into the play-offs on the back of a result like that,” he said.

“But I’m always striving for improvement and on that note I was disappointed with some of the tries we let in.”