Hough is pleased with effort

ROUGHYEDS reserves coach John Hough feels that progress is being made within his side despite suffering another heavy defeat last week.

Oldham’s second string side went down 56-0 at home to Leigh on Friday night at Sedgley Park, but Hough believes that the scoreline was harsh on his young side.

“The result flattered them a little,” said Hough, now into his second season in charge of the reserves along with assistant Leo Casey.

“Leigh had around 10 players with first-team experience in their side and they will probably be the best side we find ourselves going up against this season.

“We were enthusiastic and kept going to the end and were more enthusiastic than we were against Hunslet.”

Hough refers to the previous home match in the reserves first division, in which the Roughyeds went down 50-30 at home to the Hawks.

The team for the Leigh game was much-changed and featured only three senior players, Jason Boults, Craig Littler and Luke Sutton, while blooding three 17-year-olds for the first time.

Ross Coates, who has been playing rugby union at Littleborough, Luke Clegg of Oldham St Anne's and Austin Barraclough of Newsome in Huddersfield — recommended by Roughyeds forward Phil Joseph — all showed promise.

“We were quite inexperienced but stood up well and there were some positives to come out of the game.”

The next reserves fixture for Oldham sees the squad travel to face Hunslet on Friday, May 15 (7.30pm kick off).