Naylor: shut-up shop at York

SCOTT Naylor has challenged his Oldham players to put up the shutters at York and defend as solidly as they did in the first half at Hunslet.

The squad reported back for training last night and the focus switched to the qualifying semi-final at the Huntington Stadium (3pm) against a York side already basking in the glory of finishing top and lifting the Kingstone Press Championship One trophy.

“We’ve got to play with the bottle and character we had at Hunslet,” said the Roughyeds boss.

“In the first half all we did was defend and to turn around only 12-7 behind was an incredible effort.

“We showed a level of maturity we didn’t have in last year’s play-offs, and that augurs well.”

Last beaten at home by Oxford on April 13, City Knights have won their last 10 games and plan to win through to the play-off final at the first time of asking.

The 17 Oldham players who earned the right to deny them their fast-track route to the big day at Headingley on October 5 are all fit and available for selection.

Brett Robinson, who didn’t play at Hunslet after damaging an ankle in the final league game against Gloucester, is unlikely to play again this season.

Naylor went on: “I’ll be surprised if he is available in the next week or two. I’m not writing him off, but his sort of injury usually takes its time to heal.”