Palfrey determined to put things right

LEWIS PALFREY: focused on Skolars

LEWIS Palfrey has admitted he was taught a lesson by Paul Crook in Oldham’s play-off semi-final defeat by Rochdale.

Hornets won 23-22 at a wet Whitebank, leaving the Roughyeds to face London Skolars in a make-or-break showdown on Sunday.

Crook kicked five out of five goals for Hornets and constantly pegged back the home side.

Palfrey and his Oldham team-mates are gearing up for this weekend’s big game, where victory would set-up another meeting with Rochdale in the play-off final on Sunday week.

Palfrey said: “Rochdale played the dreadful conditions better than us in last Sunday's semi-final qualifier and as captain, kicker and midfield pivot I’ll shoulder a lot of the blame for that.

“I hold my hand up. Paul Crook gave me a lesson in how to handle play-off rugby and how to utilise the kick in torrential rain.”

Richard Lepori returns for the Skolars clash, fresh from his man-of-the-match performance for Italy against Serbia. He replaces Tom Whitehead.

Palfrey added: “That will be a massive boost for us. We all felt for Tom last week because he was unlucky to break his hand early in the game and he had to play through the pain barrier until half-time when he was taken off.

“Tom apart, everybody is fit so there will be more selection headaches for the coach. Whatever Scott Naylor comes up with, fans can rest assured the 17 players on duty will give everything they've got.”



IF Oldham win, seat tickets for the final at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday, September 29 will go on general sale (cash or cheque only) from the refreshment van inside the ground approximately 20 minutes after the final hooter.

There will be no standing tickets, due to a change in RFL allocation.

Tickets will also be on sale next week from the refreshment van at Whitebank (Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm and 5pm-6.30pm.