Production line is working – Hough

TWO and a half seasons after Oldham again formed a reserve team, the squad is on target to achieve short-term and long-term goals, insists coach John Hough.

"We are on track," said Hough, whose job is to find and develop young players within a structure which sets standards and prepares them for promotion to senior rugby at the club.

Hough’s class of 2010 take on Dewsbury Rams at Whitebank tomorrow (7.30pm) with a realistic chance of appearing in the end-of-season play-offs for the first time.

The top six qualify and Roughyeds currently lie fifth at the halfway point.

More importantly, three players from Hough's 2008 squad – Chris Clarke, Ben Heaton and Scott Mansfield – are building reputations in Tony Benson's senior side.

Others, like Mark Smith, Michael Ward, Austen Barrowclough, Jacob Kinney, Ross Coates and Ben Marsden, have earned pro contracts.

And two non-contract players, Alistair Williams and Michael Cadd, are training with the first team on the back of exciting performances for the reserves.

“It's good to see a few of them pushing towards senior level,” said Hough. "And we are chasing a play-off spot with all guns blazing.”

Hough's squad is comprised mainly of Oldhamers.

Higginshaw's Carl Fields made his debut at White-haven, while recent out-of-town recruits include 17-year-old winger Danny Chetwynd from Rochdale, half-back Tommy Connick from St Helens and back-row forward Johnny Walker from Wigan.