Naylor: I feel for my players

A PROUD, if frustrated, Scott Naylor said Oldham could take "massive positives" from their 16-14 defeat at top-four club Halifax.

The Roughyeds coach rotated his squad for its second game in four days, leaving out Richard Lepori, George Tyson, Danny Grimshaw and David Hewitt from the line-up that beat Swinton Lions 22-18 at Bower Fold on Friday.

"The 17 I picked were absolutely incredible," summed up Naylor. "Every man gave everything, but they didn't deserve to lose and that made it one of the most frustrating games of the season."

Roughyeds have lost three games by two points, but by the same token they have beaten Bradford Bulls and Swinton Lions by four and they drew 26-all at Rochdale.

In a division as competitive as the Championship this exciting edge-of-your-seat rugby looks set to continue all the way through to September.

'FRUSTRATED'
Naylor added: "I'm frustrated because huge calls went against us and the penalty count (7-7 at the end) was 6-2 to Fax after an hour.

"It's always tough at Halifax, but we had to scrap for every yard and for every point.

"This was our third defeat by two points and I really feel for my players.

"People should be taking us seriously by now for what we are doing.

"Hopefully, things will start to turn for us and we'll pick up rewards, results, calls and the things we deserve."

Naylor will have plenty of options going into next Sunday's Ladbrokes Challenge Cup fifth-round tie at Featherstone Rovers (3pm).

Discounted tickets can be bought from Athletic's ticket office at SportsDirect.com Park up to 5pm tomorrow when the offer closes. Buy early and save £6 a ticket for adults and £4 a ticket for concessions.