Oldham hunt down know-how for crucial run-in

HEADING BACK . . . Tuoyo Egodo scored three tries in 10 appearances for the Roughyeds

OLDHAM are after a more experienced back to replace on-loan Tuoyo Egodo, who has gone back to Castleford Tigers for the last time.

The 20-year-old London-born wing or centre scored three tries in 10 games for Roughyeds, who have decided to look elsewhere to put the finishing touches to their squad as the business end of the season draws nearer.

"With one spot available we felt it would be of benefit to bring in somebody with more experience," said coach Scott Naylor.

"Tuoyo is a great kid and he gave us his all, but we're heading for crucial end-of-season games and then the Shield play-offs and experience will be important.

"He is young with lots of time on his side. He's full-time at a fantastic club in Castleford Tigers and I'm certain there will come a time when we're seeing a lot more of him either in the Championship or in Super League.

TOP-FOUR SPOT

"He goes with our thanks and very best of wishes."

With three games in eight days coming up, starting with Sunday's visit to Bower Fold of a Halifax side chasing a big-money top-four spot (3pm), the Oldham boss will have plenty of scope for squad rotation.

Dual-reg is again available and he says all squad members are ready to go apart from long-term injury victims Craig Briscoe and Phil Joy.

Richard Lepori is available after a one-match ban, while Michael Ward, Sammy Gee, Liam Thompson, Liam Bent, Jamel Chisholm and Danny Grimshaw might also be in the running for recalls.

OLDHAM (from): Turner, Clay, Tyson, Grimshaw, Chisholm, Leatherbarrow, Hewitt, Neal, Hughes, Burke, Adamson, Langtree, Spencer, Bent, Hill, Owen, Davies, Lepori, Ward, Gee, Thompson plus dual-reg personnel.

Halifax need to win to keep alive their chances of making the Super 8s Qualifiers, but Naylor believes Oldham's love affair with Bower Fold could edge it their way.

Of the five games they've played at Stalybridge this season Naylor's men have knocked over Sheffield, Bradford and Swinton and lost narrowly to full-timers London Broncos (20-18) and Hull KR, league leaders (32-24).

"We're a different animal at home," said Naylor.

"Halifax have a great pack; an excellent back three; and a stand-off in Scott Murrell who's one of the best in the division.

"They're high on confidence and they're chasing a top-four finish with all that means in extra funding next year. They'll come fully prepared too.

"But we've shown already that we can beat sides who are perceived to be better and bigger than us, or at least run them very close. Sunday will be no different."

Fax lack nothing in nous and know-how with full-back Will Sharp, Murrell, utility man Simon Grix and winger Rob Worrincy all in the 30-somethings club. Points machine Steve Tyrer is not far behind, 28.

Stars of their 54-0 thrashing of Sheffield though were the emerging James Woodburn-Hall, a London-born centre who scored two tries and set up two more for hat-trick winger Connor McGrath, playing in only his second senior game.

HALIFAX (from): Sharp, McGrath, Tyrer, Woodburn-Hall, Worrincy, Murrell, Johnston, Cahalane, Moore, Murray, Grady, Barber, Grix, Morris, Fairbank, Douglas, Wilkinson, Kaye, Tangata.