Hamilton lauds players’ mettle

NEVER-SAY-DIE Oldham’s spirit has been saluted by chairman Chris Hamilton, after the club nailed down a Co-operative Championship One play-off final spot in two weeks’ time.

Gregg McNally kicked six conversions, two penalties and a drop-goal and also set up a vital late try for Valu Bentley with a piece of individual brilliance as Roughyeds saw off York 41-32 in a tough clash at the Whitebank Stadium.

The result means a fourth successive showpiece occasion for the club, who will take to the field at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium only 80 minutes away from a return to the professional game’s second tier.

Few expected that at the start of the campaign — though Hamilton, naturally, was an exception.

“At the beginning of the season there were only a handful of people who really believed that we were capable of achieving another final appearance,” said the Oldham chairman, who praised the contribution of coach Tony Benson towards a superb campaign.

“And that possibly includes some of the players themselves.

“What we have shown is that you don’t have to be the world’s best if the hunger and desire is there.

“As the season has gone on and on and we have produced win after win, the pressure has arrived with that.

“But we have handled it and the lads have all shown what great character exists within the squad.”

Oldham will now face the winners of the final eliminator between York and Blackpool, a tie which is played out on Sunday at the Huntington Stadium.


TICKETS for the play-off final triple-header at Warrington went on sale at the Roughyeds club offices on Lansdowne Road, Chadderton, from 10am today.

Roughyeds play in the Co-operative Championship One play-off final on Sunday, September 26 (3.05pm kick-off).

Oldham’s allocation comprises seats in the main North Stand, priced at £20 (£10 concessions) or £16 (£8 concessions); seats in East Stand (behind the posts), priced at £15 (£8 concessions); standing tickets in West Stand (behind the posts), priced at £14 (£7 concessions).

Tickets will be sold on a first-come basis, payment by cash or cheque only.