Last chance for fine tuning as Oldham take on Rochdale

EARLY IMPACT . . . half-back Danny Grimshaw has impressed since joining the Roughyeds.

PLEASED though they were by play in the 22-0 win at Barrow, Scott Naylor and his staff know Oldham will need to play even better in their first Championship game against London Broncos at Bower Fold.

So Sunday’s Law Cup derby against local rivals Rochdale Hornets at Spotland takes on additional significance as the last chance for Roughyeds to hone their play before starting the season.

It won’t have escaped the notice of anybody in Naylor’s squad that several spots are wide open.

Assistant boss Lee Spencer picked out Richard Lepori, Josh Crowley, Phil Joy and Danny Grimshaw for special recognition at Barrow, but he could easily have added another three or four.

After Sunday’s game it’s decision time for the Roughyeds boss, who will have to declare his hand on one or two selection teasers, notably at half-back, hooker and in the forwards, where there is healthy competition for places.

New-boy Grimshaw is providing a different dimension at half-back and it might be significant that he was on the field for 74 minutes at Barrow.

Every player in the squad will be itching to be in the side that runs out at Bower Fold for the first time.

The best way to seal that is to shine at Spotland.

Said Naylor: “We played well at Barrow, but there is still a lot left in us. We need to keep on improving week by week. There were some extremely good performances - which means I will have some very tough decisions to make soon.

“We all want to win, but it’s also important we play well because we need to take good form into the London game seven days later.”