Roughyeds: still room to improve

STEVE DEAKIN: “We all agreed we need to raise the bar for the next three games”

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ROUGHYEDS coach Steve Deakin wants his Oldham side to up their performance levels even further ahead of a set of three crucial fixtures.

The 40-16 defeat of rivals Gateshead Thunder at Sedgley Park, a fifth in a row for in-form Oldham, delighted the home support due to the way Deakin's men took a firm grip on the game from the get-go and never relented.

A dominant effort in the forwards provided a platform for highly effective use of the ball by the halves, and with Gateshead —previously unbeaten in nine — constantly pinned back in their own territory, the score line could easily have been even heavier.

However, to keep alive the chances of an automatic promotion place the Roughyeds can't afford to rest on their laurels. Especially when the following run of fixtures lie in wait: Workington (away), Barrow (away) and Doncaster (home).

And Deakin feels that this upcoming period holds the key to the club's entire 2008 campaign.

"We had a review session and spoke about the Gateshead performance as a squad," Deakin said.

"We asked a number of questions. How good was it? Was it a result of their not playing well? Can we improve and raise the intensity?

"We will analyse the game critically to examine the areas we can improve on. Conceding a soft try from a scrum in the first half, for example, when we wanted to go into half-time 'nilling' them.

"We got beaten in the penalty count as well, even though some said they would come and try to knock us out of our rhythm.

"I didn't think we did anything different to what we had in previous matches, but obviously the referee felt we were doing something wrong.

"We need to address that, as it can be difficult against teams like Barrow and Doncaster if you are giving them an extra five sets a game.

"There are always little areas you can improve and that is what we will look to do.

"We all agreed that we need to raise the bar for the next three games and then re-assess. By that time, we will have played against everybody in the competition and will have six games left to play.

"We will have a better idea as to the shape of the top of the table and what we need to do in terms of the scenarios for next season.

"It coincides with the RFL's announcement on the format of Super League and that has a knock-on effect on the National Leagues (due on July 22).

"So we are looking at focusing on the Workington, Barrow and Doncaster games and after that we will pull back and look at the situation.”

With Super League moving up to 14 teams, the RFL's verdict on the awarding of licenses is likely to mean that in re-balancing the National Leagues, two clubs will be promoted automatically from National League Two with another going up via the play-offs.

And the way the standings currently lie, Deakin believes that the defeat for Gateshead may have an adverse effect on their chances of finishing in the top two.

"We said after we lost up at Gateshead that there was a possibility of a break occurring at the top of the table and now it has — between Barrow and the rest," Deakin added.

"Had we been beaten at home on Sunday, our automatic promotion chances would probably have evaporated, whereas we have now lost twice, the same as Gateshead.

"We have momentum behind us now, while it has probably put a bit of a stutter into Gateshead as well.

"And, to be honest, I think it will hurt them. It will certainly test their resolve and ability to bounce back."




Slimline Mick’s just the tonic

MICK Nanyn is shedding weight in order to get ready for his Scotland duties at the end of the season.

The 26-year-old, whose 15 tries and 115 goals have already brought him within 31 points of a new record tally of 321 in a season for the new Oldham club, has lost six pounds in just a week-and-a-half simply as a result of following a special diet plan devised by conditioner Mark Canning.

Naturally heavily built, the powerful centre is hoping to slim down further in order to make it easier for him to perform well for the Scots in the draining heat of the World Cup in Australia at the end of the season.

"We weighed Mick two weeks ago and he was 1kg heavier than when he was full-time last year at Widnes Vikings," said coach Steve Deakin.

"But if he is going to go to Australia and do well in the World Cup, he needs to shed extra weight as it is going to be very warm out there.

"We have spoken about it and the idea is for him to lose about another eight pounds between now and the time he goes over."

Scotland face group matches against France in Canberra on October 26, and Fiji in Gosford on November 5.




O’Connor treble strike completes a great day

PAUL O'Connor celebrated his player-of-the-month award in the best way possible, scoring a hat-trick against Gateshead.

The diminutive yet big hearted full-back has been in superb form of late, faultless in defence and ever willing to offer good support in attacking positions — as was perfectly illustrated at Sedgley Park.

He was presented with his June award, sponsored by Spindles, prior to the game at the weekend.

The 24-year-old has made the number one shirt his own in recent months despite the presence in the 2008 squad of Marcus St Hilaire — last season a regular starter for Bradford Bulls in Super League.

O'Connor, a former Widnes man who signed a two-season deal with the Roughyeds in November, now has 12 tries so far this year.

o OLDHAM chairman Bill Quinn's exploits in the boxing ring, outpointing Brad Hepi in the Legends of League fight night at the Reebok Stadium, raised £16,000 to be split between Christie's Hospital in Manchester and the Rugby League Benevolent Fund to aid seriously injured players.

"Lots of people got behind me in many, many ways and I would like to personally thank everyone of them for helping to make it a great night, with a terrific fund-raising result," said Quinn.




Reserves win again at Hunslet

A SECOND half revival saw Oldham reserves win for the second successive game at the weekend, 22-12 over Hunslet at the South Leeds Stadium.

Centre Steven Fisher scored a brace of tries, full-back Ben Heaton and substitute Gareth Schofield also crossed, and stand-off Mark Smith notched two conversions and a penalty goal.

Oldham had trailed 12-4 early in the second period, but finished by far the stronger side to run in 18 unanswered points with 25 minutes remaining.

John Hough's side will try to make it three-in-a-row when they play Workington Town at Sedgley Park on Saturday, July 5 (2.30pm kick off).

Of the first team squad in action against Hunslet, Daryl Cardiss played at right centre for half an hour, while Simon Baldwin played in the front row alongside Luke Sutton, who has yet to make his bow for the senior side.

Martin Elswood, who rejoined the club last week, played his first rugby in three years in the second row.

Trialist Declan Foy didn't turn out, having returned to his Ireland home, but the centre hopes to get a further chance to push his claims when he returns to live here on a permanent basis later in the year.

Oldham: Heaton; Ward, Cardiss, Fisher, Nelson; Smith, Lowe; Baldwin, Mansfield, Sutton, Elswood, Jagger, Clarke. Subs: Jackson, W Schofield, Orwell, G Schofield.




THE next lunch for Five Alive members takes place this Friday, July 4, in the sponsors' suite at Boundary Park.

The guest speaker is Swinton Lions coach Paul Kidd and members can take guests along at a cost of £15 if bookings are made in advance by calling the club on (0161) 6283677.




A SUPPORTERS' bus to Workington is running this Sunday, picking up at the Black Horse on Ripponden Road (10am) and the Roughyeds social club (10.15am).

Call Janet in the office on the number above or Joyce on (0161) 6651832 to book a place.

Admission prices at Derwent Park are: seating, adults £13, OAPs £7, children £3; standing, adults £11, OAPs £7, children £3.

Once inside the ground it is not possible to transfer as no movement is allowed between the two areas.

For the disabled there is a special entrance for wheelchairs which leads to disabled toilets and a match viewing area.