Joseph in doubt for play-off battle

Phil Joseph receives treatment for injury after scoring Oldham’s decisive try yesterday.

PHIL JOSEPH, who sealed a memorable play-off win for the Roughyeds over Swinton, is a big doubt for the follow-up tie against Hunslet.

The loose forward, playing with a big strapping around his right thigh, again tweaked the troublesome hamstring that has hampered him over the past month.

Joseph aggravated the problem in the process of scoring a late try to secure a 31-26 win for Oldham over the Lions.

That result sets up a Co-operative Championship One elimination semi-final at home against Hunslet at Boundary Park on Sunday, after the Hawks won 21-18 in a similarly nail biting clash on the coast yesterday.

That looks set to be another tight clash, particularly given Oldham’s injury troubles.

“We say it every week, but Phil’s hamstring is playing up,” said Roughyeds coach Tony Benson.

“He came off late on and won’t train much this week.

“We have got a few injuries but we don’t want to outline who they are for obvious reasons. We have got around five or six players carrying injuries at present with three or four needing injections to play.”

Benson was also moved to praise winger Lucas Onyango, who came up with his fourth try in four games, and 13th of the season in all competitions, in the first half with a touchline-hugging effort he finished superbly.

“It was probably one of the best winger’s tries I have seen this year from Lucas,” Benson addd.

“He had a lot of work to do, didn’t he?

“I am really proud of every player in the squad, right down to Chris Hough at 18th man. They all played their part.

“As we all know, they have been against the ropes for a while now but we have bounced off. It is a great feeling. Now we all look forward to next week.”