Superman star guns for Swinton

TAKING TO THE AIR: Oldham’s George Tyson leaps over a defender to score against Oxford.

ON the wide open spaces of Sedgley Park Oldham will be looking for big things from their backs and especially from George Tyson and Adam Clay on the right flank.

Both were in fabulous form in the runaway win against Oxford, and while Swinton Lions are vastly superior opposition, Roughyeds have every reason to believe the Whitefield venue will suit Tyson and Clay.

Tyson’s all-action style was demonstrated when, hemmed in on the touchline near the corner flag, he hurled himself into the air to score a against Oxford by diving over a covering defender.

“I thought I was Superman; I thought I could fly,” said Tyson of the magic moment.

Still learning the rudiments of creative centre play, this 21 year old converted back row forward admitted he could have given his winger Clay more of the ball.

Clay himself was delighted to take his try tally for the season to 14: “Out in the backs we rely on the hookers and half-backs to control the game and set us up with scoring opportunities,” he said.

“It will be no different at Swinton. Hopefully we can go there with confidence and get some momentum back in the season.”

Apart from friendlies, Oldham hasn’t played Swinton since the 2011 season when the Lions won promotion to the championship - from which they were relegated last year.

Oldham’s last away win against the Lions was 38-20 in February 2010, when Lucas Onyango scored a hat-trick.

This season John Duffy’s men are unbeaten at home. They have one point fewer than Oldham with a game in hand, but so tight are the placings, with only two points between second-placed Rochdale and Barrow in seventh, defeat for Roughyeds could see them pushed out of the top five for the first time this year. A win could take Scott Naylor’s men back to the top on points difference, if Rochdale win at Keighley.

Naylor, who has watched them a couple of times this season, rates them among the top two or three in the division: “They play nice rugby, they’ve got some good, experienced players with good skills and they’re well coached by John Duffy and Stuart Littler. They’ll provide a big challenge.”