Hopes high for prop’s return

HIGH impact prop Said Tamghart is heading home to France at the end of this season — but Roughyeds officials hope to persuade him to return to the club in 2009.

Contrary to some reports, the tough 28-year old, outstanding this year in providing bursts of power from the bench, has not yet signed a deal with home-town club Carpentras.

He has, though, informed Oldham that he intends to play in the impending French Elite League season after crossing the channel later this year, a move he is making for the sake of his family.

“We are talking to him about playing over there for two or three months and then coming back,” said Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton.

Tamghart, who has missed out on selection for France’s World Cup squad, has made a total of 60 appearances for the Roughyeds in two seasons since linking up with Steve Deakin, his former mentor at UTC. He is currently approaching the end of a one-year contract.

Meanwhile, fellow front row man Jason Boults is still struggling to overcome a knee injury in time to play in this weekend’s home play-off game against Doncaster.

“He isn’t responding as we would like and it may be that we have to get someone to take a look at it,” added Mr Hamilton.

Aside from the former Halifax man, the Roughyeds hope at this stage to have a full squad to pick from for Sunday’s clash at Boundary Park.

Elsewhere in the National League Two play-offs, Rochdale won 28-12 at a York side shorn of the suspended March brothers on Friday night, while Keighley knocked out Workington 32-14 to set up a home match against Hornets this Sunday.