Forward predicts another thriller

NORTH Wales forward Jono Smith has described his side’s last visit to Whitebank as the toughest game of his life.

Speaking ahead of the Welsh team’s return visit on Sunday (3pm) in Kingstone Press League One, Smith said: “That semi-final was the most physical game I’ve ever played in. Whitebank is always a tough place to go, and Sunday will be no different, but the last time was a semi-final and the intensity was turned up a notch or two.”

Crusaders edged a thriller 18-16 in the semi-final of the iPro Sport Cup after Oldham led 10-6 at half-time.

“We had to dig deep and somehow find a way to the line. We won with a real team effort in which every single player was committed to getting us through to the final at Blackpool,” he admitted

Smith said Crusaders took a lot of confidence from inflicting a rare home defeat on Oldham and went on to win the cup a fortnight ago..

Like Oldham coach Scott Naylor after his side’s 32-24 loss at Keighley, Murray has called for a big improvement in performance at Whitebank, where Roughyeds are unbeaten in the league since April, 2013.

Murray said: “Our next two games are against Oldham and Rochdale so we’ve got a tough few weeks ahead of us. We’ve set some goals and if we achieve them we’ll be in the top four.”

Oldham look certain to be without full-back Steven Nield, who damaged his left knee at Keighley in a first-half tackle. Club physio Patrick Hoyte last night found the knee still swollen. He will look again when yje injury has settled down.

“I tried to step a defender and the knee just buckled underneath me,” explained Nield. “I’m crossing my fingers now and hoping it’s not too serious.”