Roughyeds duo warn of dangers

Photo: Paul Sterritt

Lewis Palfrey kicks for a conversion.

LEE Spencer and Lewis Palfrey have warned that Oldham’s quest at Workington Town on Sunday will be just as tough and challenging as Roughyeds’ four previous outings in the Kingstone Press Championship.

The Cumbrians are bottom of the table with five defeats from five games, but are much stronger now than they were when losing their first three games.

With Aussies Jarrad Stack and Jarrod Sammut back after injury, they went close to beating full-timers London Broncos in their last game at Derwent Park, losing 16-13 after surrendering a lead only 13 minutes from the end.

Stand-off Sammut, formerly with Penrith Panthers (Australia), Bradford Bulls and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, is key to everything Town do. Pack leader Stack, who also missed Town’s early games, has a massive influence on his fellow forwards.

Two more from Down Under, forwards Oliver Gordon and Ryan Verlinden (ex-Featherstone), are starting to justify the confidence placed in them by coach Phil Veivers, a fellow countryman.

Spencer, Scott Naylor’s number two, said: “Everything goes through Sammut. He’s a quality player with an excellent kicking game.

“We’ve studied them on DVD. They’re full-on, tough, resolute, and constantly aggressive in contact.

“They’ve been in this division for a few years and they’ll be targeting us, the new boys, as a must-win game. We know what to expect and we’ll be fully prepared.”