Files aims to hit the ground running

Adam Files: three tries in 24 games last season

OLDHAM have re-signed young hooker Adam Files for another year.

In his first season at Whitebank in 2013, on loan from Salford, Files blitzed defences from dummy half to score 15 tries in 24 games. For a 20 year old in his first season of senior rugby it was a brilliant start.

Soon after becoming a full Oldham player in 2014 he suffered a serious knee injury that floored him for most of the season.

He was back for the promotion season and scored three tries in 24 games: “We had a fantastic season and it was great to be part of that, but I didn’t think I played too well myself,” said Files, now 22.

“On a personal note last season was all about getting my confidence back after missing most of 2014.

“I did that and my knee was fine, but I didn’t think I did enough running with the ball. I spoke to Scott Naylor (head coach) about that, but he was okay with the way I was progressing.

“I’ll benefit from a full pre-season, which I didn’t get last year, and hopefully I’ll be back to my best in the Championship. It’s going to be tough, but we all want to challenge ourselves and we’re looking forward to it.”

Naylor said: “Towards the last third of last season we started to see something of the Adam Files of two years ago. He got better as the season went on and he finished it very strongly indeed.

“He’s still relatively young for a hooker, but he plays with a maturity well above what you would expect. I’m sure he’ll kick on and become the player we all know he can be.”