Spanner in the works as big mates collide

plenty to smile about: Oldham coach Scott Naylor (right) and assistant coach Lee Spencer.

AWAY from rugby, Lewis Palfrey's Monday-to-Friday boss is Oldham's assistant coach Lee 'Spanner' Spencer.

And, in a team of three, the Rochdale and former Oldham goalkicker and half-back spends his working week installing fireplaces alongside his ex-Oldham team mates Adam Clay and Jack Spencer under 'Spanner's' supervision.

They work for Spencer Snr on sub-contract to Fireplace Superstore of Cheadle, one of the Roughyeds' sponsors.

This weekend they'll spend part of Saturday together too . . . Palfrey in the Rochdale camp, Clay and the father-and-son Spencers on duty for Oldham as the two clubs go head to head in a finely-balanced Summer Bash derby battle at Blackpool.

Work mates they might be, but when overalls come off, to be replaced by the colours of two proud clubs, fierce rivalry takes over.

"Rugby is usually the main topic of conversation through the week but, to be honest, there hasn't been a lot of talk about the derby in the last few days," said 'Spanner'.

"Both teams are coming off a loss last weekend, which stops Lewis or our lads doing any bragging but, apart from that, the three of them are well aware that they need to play their cards close to their chests and not give anything away.

FRIENDLY

"That doesn't stop a bit of leg-pulling, all friendly fun, but that's as far as it goes. When the lads finish work on Friday night they won't meet again until the game is over.

"And they'll be back in work as usual on Monday morning, teaming up again with a few bruises, but still the best of mates. That's rugby league."

When the teams met at the Crown Oil Arena in March it finished all square at 26-26.

Oldham would have taken a draw at half-time, when Hornets held a substantial lead, but the Roughyeds totally dominated the second half to build what looked like an unassailable 26-14 lead before they blew it in the last few minutes when Gavin Bennion and Ryan Maneely scored converted tries to snatch a draw.

Since then, neither club has enjoyed the sort of success they had hoped for.

Oldham have been inconsistent, beating Bradford Bulls and Swinton Lions at home and Dewsbury Rams away (after training heavily at half time), but suffering heavy losses against Batley (twice), Toulouse and London Broncos, both away.

Hornets have gone 10 without a win and haven't picked up winning pay since they snatched a 10-9 victory at Featherstone with a late penalty goal by Palfrey on March 5 - the week before they drew with Scott Naylor's men.

"Both teams badly need a win," added 'Spanner', who has a close friend in the Hornets' assistant coach Jason Viller.

"The team that settles down first will give itself a good chance.

"There isn't a lot of difference between them, but there's no reason at all why Oldham can't come out on top."

Former Oldham skipper Palfrey, had a poor game when the sides last met, missing two or three penalty-goal or conversion attempts in the first half.

Still, Roughyeds know they will also need to toughen-up defensively - an aspect of their game on which they have been working on in training.