Palfrey backs creative duo

OLDHAM skipper Lewis Palfrey is expecting playmakers Steve Roper and Gareth Owen to rise to the challenge in tonight's play-off battle at Hunslet.

Not only are they playing well, but Palfrey believes they have the big-game confidence to compensate for the home side's greater experience.

Said Palfrey: "Gaz Owen will take it in his stride, while Roper is playing out of his skin and has loads of experience.

"Nerves got to us in last year's play-offs, especially in the final, but we're a year older and wiser now and we'll benefit from having gone through it last year. I echo what Scott said at a team meeting on Tuesday: It's just another game of rugby.”

Roughyeds also boast the top two try-scoring wingers in the division in Dale Bloomfield and Mo Agoro.

Naylor meanwhile has revealed the club set promotion as its goal at the start of the year.

"Everyone expects Hunslet or York to go up, but don't write us off – we are good enough to be in the mix, too," said the Roughyeds boss.

Tonight's winners go to York next week in the qualifying semi-final, while the losers will have a home game against the winners of Gateshead v Hemel, who meet on Sunday (6pm) at Kingston Park, home of Newcastle Falcons RU Club