Hookers have key role to play

OLDHAM will be looking to the twin talents of their little hookers Gareth Owen and Kenny Hughes to boss the key ruck area in Sunday’s big play-off game at York.

The diminutive duo didn’t play when Roughyeds were thrashed 54-12 at the Huntington Stadium in July, but this time they will be key to Scott Naylor’s hope of steering his side a step nearer to promotion.

Sunday’s losers will get a second chance at home to the winners of Hunslet v Gateshead, but Oldham are in bullish mood and going to York to win.

On their ill-fated last trip to the same venue, Hughes was out injured and, significantly, Owen wasn’t signed until the following week.

Roughyeds have since won three of the four games in which he and Owen have shared the crucial dummy-half role.

Hughes had a terrific game in the 25-24 win at Hunslet and came close to matching half-back Steve Roper as man of the match.

Hughes, 24 last weekend and once of St Helens academy, was used as a makeshift half-back for much of last season and played as Lewis Palfrey’s partner in the final defeat by Rochdale.

“I didn’t like it, but I struggled on and did my best,” he recalled. “I’m a lot happier at hooker. That’s my position. It’s where I’ve always played. It’s what comes naturally to me.

“It was a blow to miss games through injury. But I’m right now and I can’t wait for Sunday.

“We’ve already beaten them once, at home, and we can do it again on their patch if we play as consistently well over 80 minutes as we did at Hunslet.”

Roughyeds reported a clean bill of health after last night’s training session, apart from Brett Robinson, who didn’t play at Hunslet. Naylor will pick from a 23-man squad