Goulden looks for final fling

TOMMY GOULDEN: Leading by example.

TOMMY GOULDEN would count leading Oldham out in a play-off final as the finest moment in his rugby league life.

The 28-year-old second row forward took over as Roughyeds captain following the departure of sacked Robert Roberts and stand-in skipper James Coyle earlier in the season, with vice-captain Paul Highton still absent through injury.

Responding with typically high effort levels, Goulden has led by example — never more so than on Sunday against Hunslet, when the former BARLA Great Britain man worked himself into the ground on both attack and defence in the superb 54-30 win.

Now, with only an away test at York City Knights standing in the way of another showpiece finals day in Warrington, Goulden insists that despite the behind-the-scenes troubles that have rocked the club this year the team is finally performing to its potential.

“We are really pulling together now and enjoying what we do,” said Goulden, a member of the Roughyeds side that missed out on promotion at the final hurdle last year.

“There is no pressure on us and we are playing a lot better for it. We lost five key players earlier this season, but I think we are playing as well now as we ever did when they were here, and that is no disrespect to them.

“We have all clubbed together. There is nothing to lose, so we can just go for broke.

“Confidence is on a high and we know we can go out there and play like we did against Hunslet again this weekend.

“If I can lead us out in the final, that would be an achievement in itself and the proudest moment in my career.”

Goulden is hopeful that he will get past the pulled hamstring he suffered last week to take to the field at the Huntington Stadium on Sunday, in order to take revenge on a York side who have beaten Oldham twice this season, 20-18 on home turf and 37-24 at Boundary Park.

The winners of the final eliminator will face Keighley Cougars in a promotion decider.

“It isn’t as if we have been battered by York,” Goulden added. “We have lost by a few points both times.

“We are scared of no one. We are settled as a team and are confident of winning.”