Determined Boults seeking swift return

HOLDING ON: Forwards Jason Boults (right) and Tommy Goulden (on floor) grapple with Keighley’s Neil Lowe in Oldham’s now-avenged 26-12 loss at Cougar Park in April.

HAVING been given the all-clear on his knee injury, Jason Boults is dying to make it back into Oldham's side as soon as possible.

The 24-year-old workhorse prop admitted to mixed feelings when being presented on the field as the club's official player of the month for July prior to the Keighley match — the irony being that the accolade arrived prior to his missing a first match of the season.

The former Halifax man has rarely sat out a game through injury in his professional career and had played in all 28 up to that point this year, impressing fans with his consistent good toil up front.

So it is understandable that after the personal disappointment of not being selected during the Roughyeds' play-off campaign of 2007, he is determined to pull on a jersey again as quickly as possible with the final promotion push fast approaching.

"It was a bit of a surprise to get the award as I turned up on Sunday not knowing anything about it," admitted Boults, who was given the all-clear on his knee problem late last week, prior to the narrow 30-28 win over the Cougars.

"It was nice, but at the same time I was obviously disappointed not to be playing.

"I had made myself available but the physio and Deaks said 'no' as they didn't want to risk it.

"I didn't really know how bad it was at the time I did it and tried to run it off. When I was told I needed a scan it sounded bad but luckily it wasn't as serious as it might have been and was only a strain.

"You have to sympathise with the players who are out there in that heat, but a lack of discipline didn't help, nor did going down to 12 men.

"The boys stuck at it though and showed character to come out with the right result, which is all that matters."

Boults picked up the knee strain during the televised home win against Doncaster.

He is now likely to be back to face the same opponents in the reverse league fixture at the Keepmoat Stadium a week today, if not the away game at York this Sunday.

Following those two games, there is the little matter of a Boundary Park clash against Barrow on Sunday, August 10.

It is a period which Boults accepts is absolutely crucial.

"This coming week will make our season and by the end of it I think we will know if we can still get automatic promotion," he added.

"But it is still in our hands and we know that we will get there if we win all our games.

"Last year I was disappointed in myself and my motivation for this year was to show people what I am about.

"I want to prove a point and want to be there at the business end of the season."

THE ANNUAL Roughyeds golf day takes place on Friday, September 12, at Crompton and Royton Golf Club.

After a shotgun start at 1pm there is a four-ball Stableford, followed by a meal in the clubhouse, a presentation, comedian, auction and raffle.

Holes can be sponsored for £75 plus VAT and the cost for a team of four is £325 plus VAT.

There are also places still available in the hospitality box for the Barrow match on Sunday, August 10. Call Mick 'Braddy' Bradshaw on (0161) 6283677 or email mbradshaw.orlfc@hotmail.co.uk