One day, one chance...

STEVE DEAKIN: Preparations have gone well.

A SEASON of hard work comes down to just 80 minutes of rugby this weekend as Oldham do battle with Doncaster for the right to play in National League One in 2009.

The Roughyeds players face two more training sessions, tonight and tomorrow morning, before the Grand Final in Warrington on Sunday (1.30pm kick off).

At present it is not yet known whether Neil Roden (hamstring), already named in the provisional 19-man squad for the game, will make it.

That aside, coach Steve Deakin is pleased with the way the lead-up to the big day has gone and hopes to go one better than last year’s defeat to Featherstone.

“I am confident we have the ability to get the result,” he said. “There are factors that we can’t control but if we do control what we can, we have every chance.

“You do need a bit of luck and we are aware of that. But preparations have gone well and everyone is happy and confident.”

Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton reports a steady stream of supporters arriving to purchase tickets, but is encouraging more to join them in order to at least match last year’s tally.

“We had over 1,200 supporters at the Grand Final last season which was a great effort and we are hopeful of replicating that,” he said.

To aid ticket sales, the club office on Lansdowne Road, Chadderton, is open until 7pm tonight and also tomorrow morning, strictly between the hours of 9am and 10.30am. Both standing and seated tickets are still available.

Doncaster coach Ellery Hanley, who is rumoured to be about to part company with the club, has an injury concern over former Harlequins full-back Zeb Luisi.

The Kiwi picked up a neck injury in the previous play-off clash with Oldham at Boundary Park two weeks ago and is rated as a 50-50 chance .

Oldham (possible): O’Connor, Langley, St Hilaire, Nanyn, Cardiss; Hodson, Coyle; Robinson, Brooks, Mervill, Goulden, Halliwell, Roberts. Subs: Joseph, Menzies, Baines, Tamghart.

Doncaster (possible): Luisi; Colton, Bauer, Leaf, Reittie; Wood, Gale; Freer, Lawrie, Benson, Green, Lawton, Weeden. Subs: Briggs, Buttery, Hayley, Castle.