Tackling the issues

GEORGE Tyson says joining Oldham RL has been better than expected in “every single aspect”.

GEORGE Tyson can bust defensive lines and set up tries — but what he would most like to be remembered for in Oldham’s current promotion push is his tackling.

“I like hurting people,” explained matter-of-fact Tyson in the build-up to Sunday’s play-off battle at York City Knights.

He quickly added: “...within the rules, of course! Rugby is a collision sport. Opponents will be trying to hurt me as well. I like it to be physical, the more physical the better. It gets you going.”

Oldham fans see a lot more than that in the tearaway 20 year old, whom many are comparing to a young Andy Goodway. He can break tackles, use the ball intelligently and produce searing pace.

Scott Naylor puts huge emphasis on the contribution of his four impact players coming off the bench and, as one of those, Tyson more than lived up to expectations in the floodlit thriller last Friday, as did his fellow subs Nathan Mason, Kenny Hughes and Michael Ward.

He will be expected to do a similar job at York against a champion team that has won its last 10 games - one a 54-12 demolition job on out-of-sorts Roughyeds in July.

On season-long loan from Salford Red Devils, Tyson remembers it well: “They dominated us from the start,” he recalled. “But we also lost pretty heavily at Hunslet in the league and that didn’t count for anything when we beat them the other night.

“I don’t see any reason why we can’t do something similar on Sunday. If we go with our heads on we can beat any side in the division.”

Tyson says he loves playing for Oldham, despite his early apprehension when told by Salford he was required to move to Whitebank to gain experience.

“I thought it would be rubbish, but I soon discovered that in every single aspect it was far better than I expected, especially in the standard of rugby in Championship One.

“Every single game means a lot to me — I give my all every time — but on a personal note a final appearance would be very special because injury kept me out of Salford under-20s’ Grand Final appearance against Featherstone last year, and that was a bitter disappointment.”