Oldham answer wake-up call

DAVE ALLEN reckons that free-scoring Oldham have fully recovered from the defeat at Keighley three weeks ago.

Ahead of the big game with Co-operative Championship One favourites Dewsbury at Boundary Park next week, the former Wigan and Widnes forward has described how the 34-26 loss gave the players a big jolt — to which the response was to score a club-record 126 points in just two games against Workington and Lézignan.

With the Roughyeds looking to build on that in today’s derby battle with Rochdale, at Spotland, the talented 23-year-old said: “I don’t really know what happened at Keighley.
“We just didn’t seem to turn up, but I think it has provided us with a wake-up call.

“If you look at players like Andy Ballard and Thomas Coyle, they can’t stop scoring points and everything is starting to gel.

“Dewsbury are the favourites for the title so if we can beat them, it would put us in a very good position.

“At the same time, Swinton are playing well and will be difficult opponents the following week.

“Before I came to the club I didn’t know too much about this division to be honest, but it is clear now that there aren’t going to be many easy games at all this season.”

This is ambitious Allen’s first campaign back in the sport after serving a two-year ban for drug use and the powerful back-row is relishing his time at the club so much he has no objection to sticking around for seasons to come.

“First and foremost, I am just happy to be here playing rugby again,” he added.

“I would love to stay at the club. The aim is to get promoted this season and from there I am happy to stay for two, three or four years if things keep on moving forward.”