Oldham prepared to face a whirlwind

OLDHAM will be ready to withstand a whirlwind start by York in Sunday’s play-off clash at the Huntington Stadium.

In the league game at the ground, the Knights shot out of the blocks with tries by Pat Smith and Jack Lee in the first seven minutes. After 30 minutes they led 30-0 and they went on to win 54-12.

Oldham coach Scott Naylor has warned his Roughyeds players to be ready for another smash-and-grab start.

“We are in no doubt Gary Thornton will have his side ready to hit us with the sort of start they used last time,” he said.

“It will be up to us to be ready for it and to do things differently than in the league game.”

Thornton watched the Hunslet-Oldham game expecting to see the Hawks earn the right to play his table-toppers this weekend - but left impressed by Oldham’s fight back to a 25-24 triumph.

Said Thornton: “It epitomised what play-off rugby is all about. Hunslet were in control for most of the first half, but Oldham got the upper hand.

“They will come to York full of confidence. They’re a team in form and they’ve earned the right to play us with an opportunity to go straight through to the final. But we are confident too. There’s a reason we finished champions.”

Naylor still believes the play-offs are wide open and that any of the four teams could win promotion.