‘No option’ but to embrace dual-reg

HIT MAN ... dual-reg player Jacob Fairbank puts in a crunching tackle for Oldham

AS promotion-seeking Oldham RL look to bolster their squad before the July 24 signing deadline, Scott Naylor has expressed his satisfaction at how dual-registration is working for his in-form Roughyeds.

In 18 cup and league games this season, coach Naylor has used half a dozen players on dual-reg from partner club Huddersfield Giants, plus Nathan Mason who has been at Whitebank for most of the year on loan.

The Oldham-born prop (21) has played in all but two of those 18 games, but he didn't figure in Sunday's derby-day triumph against Rochdale Hornets because the Giants had recalled him to play off the bench in their 35-34 Friday defeat at St Helens.

It remains to be seen whether Mason comes back before the deadline.

Most recent of the dual-reg contingent to give Naylor's men a helping hand are Jake Connor (20), full-back or centre, and Jacob Fairbank (25), a back-row forward.

Connor played at centre against York and at full-back against Rochdale before going off just after half-time with an ankle injury.

Fairbank put on an Oldham jersey for the first time against Rochdale, scoring the try just after the interval which put Roughyeds ahead for the second occasion.

Said Naylor: "The dual-reg lads are doing a great job for us.

“People have mixed views Gav’s solo trial ‘No option’ but to embrace dual-reg on the system, but if we want to compete at the top end of League One and aim for promotion we've got to embrace it. We don't have an option.

"The RFL have brought it in and our rival clubs are using it, so we've got to go down the same route in the interests of a level playing field and in order to give ourselves the best possible chance of achieving our targets.

"The lads we are getting from Huddersfield Giants are fitting straight into our systems, enjoying their time with us and performing well on game days. They are committed to us and determined to give us everything they can.

"That is not only testament to the great job Paul Anderson and his staff are doing at the Giants, but it's also testament to the attitudes and work ethics of the boys themselves, who are coming here to play for us and doing a great job.”

Through the work of conditioner Kane Daniels, there is also a Giants influence in the Oldham squad's renowned fitness.

This was never better demonstrated than in the last two games when Naylor's men wrought havoc in the last half-hour against York and Rochdale.

Naylor, meanwhile, has confirmed that Oldham may add to their playing register within the next couple of weeks.

He said: "I'm on the look-out because we have spots available and I'm actively trying to get the squad sorted before the cut-off point."