Saints aim to follow up good start

OLDHAM St Anne’s are in buoyant mood for the visit of Shaw Cross Sharks in National Conference League division two tomorrow (kick-off 2pm).

Saints, victorious at newly-promoted Normanton Knights six days ago, are hoping to carry on their good work against the team directly below them in the table.

Coach Mick Cashin was delighted with the way his young side went about their business to record only their second success of the season.

He said: “We’ve had a good couple of weeks, both on the pitch and in training.

“Apart from the performance against Saddleworth Rangers when we didn’t show up, we could have won every game.

“The younger players such as David Cookson, John Sweeney and Phil Jagger stood up to the test at Normanton. It can be an intimidating place, but they never shirked the issue.”

David Harris is pushing for a starting spot after a hat-trick for Saints’ second string in the North-West Counties League last weekend.




LIAM Coates is fit again for Saddleworth Rangers, who make the trip to Castleford Panthers tomorrow (2.30pm).

The hooker, who has been suffering from a sore knee, is in contention for a recall as Keith Brennan’s side target four wins out of four.

Rangers are third in the table and have games in hand over the teams above them, but Brennan has stressed the importance of not getting carried away by their impressive start.

“We can’t afford to fall in love with ourselves,” said the former Oldham Roughyeds player. “This game can bite you on the backside when you least expect it, so it’s important not to ease off.

“Our aim is to keep improving every week.”

Prop Adam Walker is definitely out after a recurrence of an ankle ligament injury in the defeat of Eastmoor Dragons.




WATERHEAD will be forced to call on their reserves when they head to East Leeds in division two tomorrow (2.30pm).

With injuries, work, family and holiday commitments, plus a handful of players attending the Super League Grand Final, coach Mick Slicker is down to the bare bones.

He said: “We are looking to push on after beating Crosfields, but we’re up against it already.

“The Grand Final has killed us really. It would make life a lot easier if the league cancelled all fixtures. They do it the Challenge Cup final.”

Slicker will draft in players from the second team, but is reluctant to call on any of Waterhead’s under-18s as they are involved in a game on Sunday.




TONY Martin will make his sixth appearance at a Super League Grand Final this weekend.

The 53-year-old, from Grasscroft, is a touch judge for the eagerly-awaited clash between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Fellow Oldhamer Robert Hicks is one of two reserves, a role he filled at this season’s Challenge Cup final.

Hicks, a solicitor, ended up on the line five minutes into the second half after Dewsbury’s Steve Wright pulled a calf muscle.