Steep learning curve for Oldham

Photo: Paul Sterritt

WELCOME TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP . . . Oldham’s Danny Langtree is upended by a London Broncos tackle.

NEXT on the agenda for Oldham RL Club, beaten 22-0 by London Broncos in the first of 30 Championship outings, is a trip to title favourites Leigh Centurions.

A first-day upset saw Centurions go down narrowly at Batley Bulldogs and Roughyeds will be aware of a possible backlash at Leigh Sports Village.

“This division is unforgiving,” said coach Scott Naylor, whose squad of part-timers will face full-time professionals for a second time.

Against Broncos at Bower Fold yesterday they trailed 4-0 at half-time, but were taken apart in the second half as tiredness took over.

The Oldham coach went on: “There are lessons we need to learn very quickly because this is the type of game we’ll be playing every Sunday. There will be no rest and no respite. All games will be very tough, physically and mentally, from first minute to last.

“We looked like a Championship side in the first half of the London game, but we dipped in the second half and that was because Broncos were from a full-time environment. Apart from anything else, they looked calmer and more relaxed in everything they did.

“They don’t come any harder than where we go next — Leigh Sports Village — so we’ve got to work hard to improve week by week.”

A BBC camera crew and presenter were at Bower Fold, filming for a feature on North-West clubs outside Super League which will appear on ‘Look North-West’ (6.30pm), spread over tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday. Oldham are expected to appear in two of the three programmes.