Oldham back on top again

HIGH-FLYING Oldham are back on top of Kingstone Press League One following Keighley Cougars' 34-10 defeat by North Wales Crusaders in Wrexham.

Both teams are on 18 points and Cougars have a game in hand, but Roughyeds take top spot because they have a slightly better for-and-against record.

York City Knights beat Swinton Lions 26-16 to climb into third place, guaranteeing a cracking first versus third showdown when the Knights arrive at Whitebank on Sunday.

Said Oldham boss Scott Naylor: "York are a quality side. We'll need to be at our very best. We've got a few players carrying knocks, but at this stage I don't suppose we'll be on our own in that regard. We've just got to get on with it.

"It's good to be back on top again, but it doesn't mean a lot at this stage - it's desperately tight right down to half-way."

Naylor said he had two players in the second half at Cheltenham who were "busted" - but determined to get the job finished.

The list of casualties reads: back-row forward Danny Langtree (wrist); centre George Tyson (knee); prop Adam Neal (stomach bug); prop Nathan Mason (groin) and winger Adam Clay (ankle).

Full-back Steven Nield has a scan this week on a knee injury, which he initially picked up when turning awkwardly in a tackle at Keighley on May 31.