Cashin sees the wider picture
Date published: 10 October 2008
MICK CASHIN is “under no illusions” about the task his Oldham St Anne’s side face at Ince Rose Bridge in division one of the National Conference League tomorrow.
Back-to-back wins have propelled Saints into mid-table, three places above this weekend’s hosts, who are on a run of four consecutive defeats.
And in Lee Forsythe, they can call upon a player at the top of his game after his two-try display in the 28-10 win over Shaw Cross Sharks.
But Cashin, who is waiting on the fitness of Ryan Blake and Alex Ayres, is expecting a different type of test for the trip to Wigan.
He said: “We’ve been up against a couple of Yorkshire teams lately and they play down the middle.
“Ince will be more expansive in their approach and we’ve been working on our defence out wide in training this week to try to reduce that particular threat.
“I know they are below us in the table, but I’m under no illusions at what to expect. Traditionally, it has always been hard place to go to, but we’ve got good momentum and there is a good atmosphere among the players.”
Blake has been undergoing treatment for a slight hamstring strain, while Ayers is trying to overcome a knee problem.
After suffering their first defeat of the season, SADDLEWORTH RANGERS are on a recovery mission at home to Widnes St Maries.
Although upset at such a poor performance, coach Keith Brennan and his assistant Wes Rogers still found positives in the 10-6 reverse at Castleford Panthers.
“The players had identified where they had gone wrong as soon as they had got back to the dressing room,” reflected Brennan.
The Rangers chief, who has no new injury worries, is looking for an instant response against St Maries, who are two places and a point above them in third place.
WATERHEAD play host to a Myton Warriors side who put 42 unanswered points on the board last weekend.
While Warriors were sweeping aside Castleford Lock Lane to stay second in division two, the Peach Road outfit were shipping 40 points at East Leeds.
Rory Freek (calf) and Kieran Grennan (hamstring) face late fitness checks but Paddy Slicker and Paul Bennett, who are both suffering from shoulder injuries, are definitely ruled out.
