We’re all in this together, says Palfrey

YOU’RE THE MAN . . . it’s handshakes all-round for Oldham skipper Lewis Palfrey after the thrilling defeat of Sheffield Eagles. PICTURE by PAUL STERRITT.

LEWIS Palfrey and Liam Thompson both reflected on dressing-room unity as Oldham celebrated their exciting 21-20 triumph against Sheffield’s full-time professionals.

Easter defeats by Halifax and Swinton Lions required straight-talking behind the scenes, producing an amazing turn round in form that produced wins against Batley Bulldogs and a Sheffield side that put 46 points on Bradford Bulls in their previous game.

Coach Scott Naylor was down to his only available 17 players for the Batley game, but their 28-12 triumph earned them the right to go again against Sheffield.

Naylor chose to stick with an unchanged 17, although players of the calibre of Danny Grimshaw and Danny Langtree were fit for selection.

After this latest victory, which lifted Naylor’s men up a place to ninth in the table, club captain Palfrey said: “It was tough losing at Workington and then against Halifax and Swinton over Easter.

“A lot of questions were asked of us, quite rightly, but we all stuck together as a squad because we believe in each other and in the men leading us.

“We know there’s enough talent in our group for us to do okay in this division and the last two results have proved that.”

Man of the match Thompson, like Palfrey one of Naylor’s 2013 “originals”, said victory over Sheffield could be ranked as the best win in his three and a half seasons at Oldham.

He added: “All the lads deserve great credit for the way we’ve come back from a few losses to turn it round by beating Batley and Sheffield. Effort in both games was first class. We've produced our two best performances of the season and we have to kick on from here now and see where it takes us.”

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton said: “To beat one of the four full-time teams in this division is a huge feather in our cap.”

Due to circumstances beyond their control, the club’s office at Whitebank was NOT open today for the sale of tickets for Saturday’s cup-tie at Hull KR and the Summer Bash. The office will be open tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.