Roughyeds add 'quality'

LEWIS FOSTER . . . the young hooker has signed for a month

OLDHAM'S capture on loan of Leigh's Jonny Pownall and Lewis Foster was an indication of the club's determination to stay in the Championship, said chairman Chris Hamilton.

"They're not only quality players; the're full-time quality players and that makes a big difference," said the Roughyeds' chief.

Pownall (24), who can play wing, full-back or centre, has scored 60 tries in 92 appearances since his Leigh debut in 2011, including the first try in Oldham's 48-18 defeat at LSV in February.

Foster (22), a hooker whose first pro club was St Helens, also played in that game, starting in the middle of the front row with Micky Higham on the bench.

Both players have signed for a month.

Said Naylor: "Jonny (Pownall) has played for Leigh at Championship level for the past few years and he will offer a lot to the backs.

"We have had more injuries in that area of the team than in the forwards and Jonny's experience and versatility will serve us well. I am looking forward to having both him and Lewis (Foster) on board.

"Lewis is a young hooker, who has a lot of big shoes ahead of him at Leigh. It will be nice to give him some game time and it will enable us to freshen up our middle unit.

"We are playing Gareth Owen in the half-backs so that leaves us with only two hookers. We have a lot of big games coming up and the acquisition of Jonny and Lewis will allow us to do some rotation."