Hobson salutes Oldham team spirit

Oldham Rugby’s second-row man Mark Hobson says team bonding and camaraderie are essential ingredients for success.

And he has practised what he preaches by signing with Roughyeds for another season.

At this point last year only one player, the now-retired Neil Roden, had signed for 2013; 12 months on, 26-year-old Hobson is the 16th player to agree terms.

That, he believes, could make all the difference in giving the nearly men of 2013 the flying start they need for 2014.

“It looks like most of the boys are staying and we’ve already got a great team spirit,” said Hobson.

“Most of us were new last year, as were the coaching staff, and it took us a few weeks to hit it off together. This time everything is in place. We’re big mates with a real good crack and we’ll be aiming to get off to a flying start.”

Spencer described Hobson as “robust and honest” and added: “What you see is what you get. He’s a 100-per-cent man, a no-nonsense competitor.”