Roughyeds look for big turn-out

OLDHAM Roughyeds officials are urging the town to get behind the team for tonight’s promotion encounter with Doncaster.

The important National League Two clash at Boundary Park (7.30pm kick off) pits together two teams aiming at securing a top-two position which will almost certainly seal automatic promotion, depending on the outcome of next week’s Super League licensing decision.

Doncaster are currently fifth in the table, two places and eight points behind Oldham but with three games in hand.

The Roughyeds are hoping to bounce back from a defeat to leaders Barrow last Friday, while Ellery Hanley’s Doncaster side — who recently played in the final of the Northern Rail Cup, losing 60-0 to Salford — have won their last three in NL2.

With entry for tonight’s televised clash free, subject to a minimum £1 charity donation split between Dr Kershaw’s Hospice and The Genesis Appeal, Oldham chief executive Chris Hamilton is hoping for a bumper crowd which will hopefully overtake the divisional record figure of 4,327 set at the same ground last season.

“This is a big game and a big occasion, one that a lot of people have put a lot of time and effort into,” said Mr Hamilton.

“If anybody is undecided, we are urging them to get down to Boundary Park to support two worthy causes.”

Oldham have Paul O’Connor and Daryl Cardiss back and captain Rob Roberts is set to play, as is Said Tamghart, though coach Steve Deakin will delay his selection until an hour before the game.

Kyle Briggs’ torn calf, sustained in the NRC final, keeps him out and Luke Gale and Kyle Wood are likely to be Doncaster’s starting half-backs, while full-back Shaun Leaf is back in contention.

Tonight’s game is being broadcast on Sky Sports 3, with the programme starting at 7.30pm.

* OLDHAM’S depleted reserves team lost 52-6 at Featherstone last night, with Dale Lowe scoring the only try and Ethan Langhorn adding a conversion.

Missing Dwaine Nelson (ankle), Phil Jagger (suspension), Steven Fisher and Mark Smith (BARLA tour in Australia) and other players currently on holiday, Oldham were forced to field coaching duo John Hough and Leo Casey.

Hough picked up a dislocated finger for his troubles, while Casey broke his nose.