Sights set on cup-tie cash boost

KIERAN Gill . . . centre role paid off against Haydock

SCOTT Naylor will be looking for a money-spinner when Oldham go into the draw tomorrow morning for the fifth round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup.

Also in the hat will be Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos, Leigh Centurions, Salford Red Devils, Hull KR, Featherstone, Doncaster, York City Knights, Halifax, Batley, Swinton, Barrow, Toronto Wolfpack, Dewsbury and Whitehaven or Oxford, who have still to play their fourth-round tie.

Rochdale Hornets, the Roughyeds derby rivals, crashed out when beaten in a fourth-round upset at struggling Kingstone Press League One club York City Knights.

The remaining eight Super League clubs enter in round six.

The draw will be broadcast from 7.45am tomorrow on BBC 5 Live's Breakfast Show.

Naylor said: "The cup for us is all about finance. We are not going to win the trophy, but we hope to benefit financially, as we did last year.

"At this stage of the club's development that's what it's all about.

"There might come a time when we're talking about winning cups and trophies, but that's for the future."

Boosted by a large and loud following from Haydock, the crowd of 743 at Bower Fold for Saturday's fourth-round tie, which Oldham won 40-12, was the highest so far this season. See Pages 30-31 for report.

Watched by RFL officials Ralph Rimmer and Nick Roberts, the Oldham players waited on the pitch at the end of the game until Haydock had gone across to acknowledge their fans and then lined up to applaud them and shake hands as they went up the tunnel.

"They deserved it," said Naylor. "They had big hearts and in rugby that can take you a long way. You can teach a player to tackle and pass, but you can't give him heart. It's 80 per cent of what the game is all about."

The switch of Kieran Gill from wing to centre and George Tyson from centre to left-side second-row proved a masterstroke. Haydock couldn't handle that partnership up the left channel.

Scott Leatherbarrow, Richard Lepori and Michael Ward also had big games.

Roughyeds appeared to come through without injury concerns so Naylor will have big decisions to make if Scott Turner, Liam Thompson and Tuoyo Egodo are available for Sunday's trip to Batley.