Joseph happy still to be in with a shout

OLDHAM’S Phil Joseph has been an influential figure in a variety of positions so far this season.

CONFIDENT Roughyeds star Phil Joseph is revelling in the spotlight as the season draws to a close.

Having taken up responsibilities as both playmaker and battering ram in recent weeks, the good form of the former Huddersfield and Swinton man has done much to assist Oldham’s promotion drive.

The 23-year-old was rated as as the second most effective loose forward, behind York's David March, in Rugby League World's National League Two representative select for July.

And the slip-up at the Huntington Stadium at the weekend hasn't shaken Joseph's determination to emerge successful from what he regards as a hugely competitive National League Two season.

"It is constant pressure in this division, week after week," he said.

"It really tests you and it is important to keep your form up.

"The competition is very good at the present time and I think it will only get better.

"There have been a lot of twists and turns this season and I am not surprised that Gateshead are top as they are a good side with good players in there.

"For us, this season is just the beginning. We have a very good set of lads and a lot of them are younger players who have a bright future ahead of them.

"Obviously we were disappointed after the York game but everyone is remaining upbeat.

"We didn't play well and we all know that and want to put it right.

"We definitely don't think our chance of automatic promotion has gone yet. Doncaster and Barrow are beatable and we want to take our chance to put the pressure on.

"Everybody is still confident that we can go straight up."

Oldham travel to South Yorkshire to take on Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium tonight (8pm kick off), the second meeting between the teams inside three weeks.

Ellery Hanley's men, hampered by a jam-packed fixture backlog following their successful run to the Northern Rail Cup final, have faltered in recent weeks.

The 36-16 defeat to Oldham in front of a bumper crowd at Boundary Park was followed up by a 58-14 home thumping of Blackpool.

But the Dons have succumbed in their last two matches, going down to a surprising 50-8 hammering at Rochdale before being squeezed out 34-31 at Keighley, despite being 31-18 up with less than a quarter of the game to go.

A Roughyeds win tonight is a must in order to maintain the pressure on second-placed Barrow, currently three points ahead but boasting a significantly better points difference.

A first home defeat of the season for the Raiders against Gateshead at the weekend has almost guaranteed the north-east side a promotion place, if not the title.

Starting the season as rank outsiders, the 30-22 victory for Thunder at Craven Park leaves Dave Woods' side five points clear at the top with only three matches left, confounding the critics who doubted they could last the pace.

Keighley, who overcame Doncaster at Cougar Park on Sunday thanks to a Dan Potter try a minute from time, are another well-coached outfit who have exceeded the expectations of many in 2008 and Barry Eaton's side will be dangerous come the play-offs.