Team ethic is key for on-loan centre Brown

WELCOME ON BOARD: New loan signings Michael Brown (left) and James Martin (centre) are greeted by Roughyeds assistant coach Mark Cass after their arrival from Huddersfield.

NEW boy Michael Brown admitted he was delighted to round off a whirlwind three days with a crucial late Roughyeds try at the weekend.

But despite his 71st-minute effort, rounding off a lovely move to put his side up 28-16, the centre, signed on deadline day on loan from Super League outfit Huddersfield Giants, admitted that it was the impact his score had on the result that pleased him more.

"I really enjoyed it and felt it went well," said the 21-year-old, a product of the Hunslet Parkside amateur club, who joined Leeds Rhinos at 16 before signing for the Giants a year ago.

"It was great to make my debut in a game like that. I was a bit nervous before the game because I wanted to do well.

"But in the end I was really happy to get the try, not just for myself, but for the team as well."

Along with fellow Huddersfield loan signing James Martin, the Leeds-based Brown had only one training session under his belt before taking Mick Nanyn's shirt at number four — not literally, given the disparity in their respective statures — and being thrust into one of Oldham's most vital matches of the 2008 season.

Coach Steve Deakin used his post-match press conference to heap praise on the efforts of the pair, whose feet, as Brown describes, barely touched the ground after first meeting up with Deakin and chief executive Chris Hamilton at the Galpharm Stadium.

"I got the phone call from my coach at Huddersfield on Friday morning, who asked me if I wanted to join Oldham on loan," added the highly-rated Brown, who has one Super League appearance from the bench against Harlequins to his name, a 26-16 home victory in June.

"I said yes straight away as I felt it was a good opportunity to get some experience under my belt.

"Then I was asked if I could come over straight away to sign the papers, so I got that done and then I went training on Friday night. It was really fast as it all happened in one day.

"Everything went well at training and everyone made us feel comfortable and tried to bring us both into the group. Deaks was very good as well, he broke everything down for us."

Brown also said he wouldn't mind staying on after his initial one-month spell, should he be needed for the play-offs, while admitting, "that is out of my hands".

For Martin, a rangy 20-year-old back row forward who combines his training with studies at Huddersfield University, the Barrow match represented a first senior outing in professional rugby league.

He impressed enough to suggest he will have an impact in Oldham's final two league matches of the season, away at Swinton and at home to Workington.