Oldham keen to keep Ashe

ROUGHYEDS officials will attempt to keep Matty Ashe at the club beyond his initial one-month loan spell.

The Swinton Lions half-back’s temporary deal runs out after Oldham’s reserve match away at Whitehaven on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).

The 23-year-old, who has worked with Roughyeds coach Tony Benson in the past with the Junior Kiwis, was brought to the club to give a helping hand to the promising youngsters within John Hough’s reserves outfit.

Oldham chief executive Chris Hamilton hopes that Swinton will agree to an extended deal.

“In fairness to Matty, he knew what the score was when we brought him here,” said Mr Hamilton.

“Swinton have no reserve side and he was happy to come, play rugby again and see what happens from there.”

As well as Ashe. Benson may choose to give a number of first-team players a run-out in Cumbria, with the vital televised league game away at York next Thursday in mind.

Oldham’s reserves will be hoping to build on good recent form which has seen them record back-to-back wins against Dewsbury and Barrow.