All Golds loan is a 'good move'

STEVEN NIELD

OLDHAM utility back Steven Nield, in need of game time after recovering from a knee reconstruction, has gone to Kingstone Press League One side Gloucester All Golds on a month's loan.

"It's a good move for him because he needs to be playing rugby and we can't offer him that at Championship level when he's been out for so long," said coach Scott Naylor.

"Game time at Gloucester will enable him to get match fit and to get used to playing again on a regular basis.

"We'll review it in a month."

The 26-year-old former Saddleworth Rangers and St Helens academy full-back, centre or wing played in the same Roughyeds reserves team as Phil Joy, Michael Ward, Kenny Hughes and Danny Langtree.

WRECKED

His best season at first-team level was 2014 when he made 19 appearances, but only eight games into the promotion season of 2015 he wrecked a knee in a harmless-looking tackle at Keighley when playing full-back.

He needed major surgery to rebuild the knee and his appearances since then have been restricted to a couple of pre-season games in January this year.

Following on from the the quality performance that gave Roughyeds a 26-22 win against the full-time professionals of Bradford Bulls, chairman Chris Hamilton has praised the work of the club's strength and conditioning team.

He said: "We've invested quite a bit this season on that side of things and the fitness of the players is absolutely superb.

"We needed those two league points and we showed a lot of character to get them, especially after we had missed the opportunity to draw level at 22-22 when the penalty attempt went wide."

Kieran Gill's astonishing match-winning try, with commentary by Oldham Community Radio, can be seen again on the club's website at www.roughyeds.co.uk

The next home game - the last at Bower Fold until May 21 - is the Good Friday (April 14) derby clash against Swinton Lions, kick-off 3pm.

Discounted tickets, offering savings of £6 adults and £4 concessions, will be on sale for the Roughyeds' fifth-round Ladbrokes Challenge Cup tie at Featherstone on Sunday, April 23.

These early-bird tickets, available at £12 adults, £8 concessions are available to April 19. Ring Roughyeds on 07904 898177.