Fev coach eyes final

Paul Noone: in line for his first taste of action against Featherstone Rovers this weekend.

OLDHAM RL Club get their Northern Rail Cup campaign under way on Sunday when they entertain Featherstone Rovers (3pm kick-off).

Former Bradford half-back Kyle Briggs could feature for the visitors, who in some quarters are fancied to go all the way to the top.

Fev coach Daryl Powell has already sent out a statement of intent by targeting a place in the final this term following two near misses.

As for the other sides in the group, South Wales Scorpions — who host Oldham on February 19 — are coached by Dave Clark, who took Barrow to the final three years ago.

They are viewed as a work-in-progress, but the signing of former Super League half-back Jamie Rooney will boost hopes of qualification.

Dewsbury Rams, who host Tony Benson’s Roughyeds on February 26, have revamped their squad, heralding the arrival of Nick Fozzard, Dwayne Barker, Craig Cook and Ryan Esders.

With more than a dozen new signings on board, it could take a while for the squad to gel.

March 4 sees Oldham hit the road to Keighley Cougars, who have snapped up Kiwi centre Matt Parata and former Wakefield trio Sam Obst, Michael Korkidas and Semi Tadulala.

Jason Demetriou and his side will be setting their sights on a minimum achievement of a place in the quarter-finals.