Spencer: back the boys

Lee Spencer.

Assistant Oldham coach Lee Spencer has made an impassioned plea to stay-away fans ahead of Sunday’s iPro Sport Cup semi-final against North Wales Crusaders at Whitebank.

In dreadful weather fewer than 300 supporters turned out at each of the two cup wins against new boys Coventry Bears. Since then, Roughyeds have had a 32-10 win at Barrow in the iPro Sport competition and a 44-20 away defeat by Championship high-flyers Sheffield Eagles in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

Head coach Scott Naylor and Spencer have guided their young squad to second and third place finishes in their two seasons at the club, reaching the play-off final both times only to finish second best.

Spencer said: “Scott and I have signed new three-year contracts so we’re here for the long haul.

“All we ask is that supporters give the boys the backing we feel they deserve for all the hard work and dedication they put in on behalf of the squad, the club and the town.

“They’re only semi-pros, after all, but their commitment to the cause is total and absolute.

“The rugby they produce is fantastic so on their behalf, because Scott and I feel for them when only 300 people turn up to watch, I’m asking the rugby people of the town to give us a go.”