Teen ready to take sting out of Hornets

BRIGHT young prospect . . . Luke Hooley

OLDHAM pup Luke Hooley doesn't need reminding of the importance of Bank Holiday Monday's meeting with Rochdale Hornets at the Crown Oil Arena.

The Wakefield Trinity loanee, the baby of the Roughyeds squad at just 19 years of age, has lapped up the chance to play Kingstone Press Championship rugby this season.

He has played in all three of the Roughyeds' Shield matches and before that made half-a-dozen appearances for Dewsbury, also on loan.

Competent with the boot and never afraid to put his body on the line in the face of Batley's marauding forwards, the full-back was one of the stand-out performers in Oldham's 22-22 draw at Mount Pleasant last weekend.

Hooley is expecting more of the same physical examination against Hornets (kick-off 3pm).

He said: "It's a must-win game, there's no doubt about that, and a local derby, so it's a chance to put one over one of your so-called enemies."

Hooley has experience of the cut-and-thrust of a derby duel already this season.

In his spell with Dewsbury, the teenager made his Rams debut in the 13-12 victory over Batley Bulldogs in the Championship's Summer Bash at Blackpool.

"Derbies are a lot more physical as both sides are really up for it," said Hooley. "They are games like no other."

The draw at Batley, from being 22 points adrift, saw next-to-bottom Oldham join Swinton Lions on 12 points.

The Roughyeds are in the last relegation place - Bradford are already down - and victory on Monday would bring Hornets into the equation.

To do that, Oldham must avoid giving their arch rivals a head start.

In the last two Shield games, Scott Naylor's men trailed Bradford by 20 points only to lose out by four, while they spent the first 20 minutes against Batley firmly on the back foot.

KICKED

"We've got to find our feet earlier," said Hooley, who has kicked seven goals in three Roughyeds appearances so far.

"We can't afford to give away cheap possession in the first 20 to 25 minutes and let teams get on top.

"We've got to keep hold of the ball and not take risks by throwing it all over the park.

"To score before half-time against Batley was vital. Scott (Naylor) had his say at half-time and then we knuckled down."

Hooley, who can also play half-back or centre, enjoys mixing life at Oldham with his commitments at Wakefield.

He has a three-year pro deal at the Beaumont Legal Stadium, where he trains during the day, before heading over the Pennines to meet up with his weekend team-mates on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.

"It's good to get the experience under my belt," said Hooley. "I'm playing against grown men who have the know-how of playing at Championship level."