Nanyn hoping World Cup cut is kind

MICK NANYN will be keeping his fingers crossed he will make the final cut for Scotland’s World Cup squad.

The goal-kicking centre, who has been sidelined recently with a fractured thumb, has been included in the preliminary squad for this autumn’s tournament in Australia.

Coach Steve McCormack and his assistants have some tough decisions to make as 37 will have to become 24 before Scotland, competing in only their second World Cup campaign, head Down Under.

Nanyn, the leading points scorer in National League Two, will be desperate to prove his fitness and form ahead of the final selection.

McCormack knows all about the 26-year-old as he was his coach at his former clubs Widnes and Whitehaven.


WHILE his players are putting their feet up enjoying a well-earned rest, Steve Deakin will be perched in front of a television this week.
But you won’t find the Roughyeds coach catching up with “Neighbours” or the next episode of “Doctors”.

Instead, Deakin will spend the next few days doing homework before the qualifying play-off on Sunday, September 14.

“It’s an opportunity to do some quality preparation,” said the Oldham chief. “I’ve got videos to cut and notes to make so, although there is no training this week, this is still a busy period.”

The Roughyeds play either Keighley or Doncaster for the right of passage through to the Grand Final.

Both their prospective opponents play this week and Deakin will take in one of the games.


STEVE Deakin’s class of 2008 made their own piece of history in Sunday’s 40-16 win over Workington Town.

For the first time in Oldham rugby league club history, nine players have scored 10 tries or more in a season.

The nine are Paul O’Connor, Marcus St Hilaire, Danny Halliwell, Lucas Onyango, Neil Roden, James Coyle, Tommy Goulden, Phil Joseph and Mick Nanyn.