Roughyeds new boys ready for Hawks

HUNSLET hold no fears for Oldham's two latest recruits, Adam Clay and Gareth Owen.

Neither winger Clay nor hooker Owen were at the club when Roughyeds lost 38-12 at the South Leeds Stadium in April. But both played well in the 24-23 win against the Yorkshiremen at Whitebank in July.

The teams meet again tomorrow night at the South Leeds Stadium in the opening game of the five-club play-offs, the outright winner going up to the newly-structured 12-club Championship.

“It’s the biggest game of the season and we’re up for it,” said Clay, who was Barrow’s top try scorer in the Championship last year.

“We’re good enough to go all the way and win promotion. I firmly believe that. Why shouldn’t we: we’ve beaten every team in the division and nobody has turned us over at Whitebank. We’re not scared of anybody.”

His upbeat comments are echoed by local lad Owen, who says he is “buzzing” at the prospect of playing in his first play-off clash.