Roughyeds need time to recover

Scott Naylor.

SCOTT Naylor took comfort from Oldham's battling second-half performance when they scored three tries in their 56-16 loss to London Broncos yesterday.

But the Roughyeds falling 34-0 down at half time, which was a major setback.

"We spoke about things because it's disappointing how we've played the first half of games," said the Oldham coach.

"But the lads have given everything and you could see how disappointed they were in the changing room afterwards, because nobody likes losing.

'TIRED'

"However, it's full-time rugby versus part-time rugby, so I have a lot of tired lads and it's hard to be critical, because the effort made from them is always fantastic."

Looking ahead, Naylor said there were no major injury concerns ahead of a five-match crunch period when Oldham take on sides in and around them in the Kingstone Press Championship.

Roughyeds face Whitehaven on Sunday, then Sheffield Eagles, Swinton Lions and Workington Town in the coming weeks.

"Next week is the start of a positive spell of the season for us," he said.

"Whitehaven are similar to us in the division. It's a very big game, an important game and one when we need to be ready for them."

Naylor added: "We've been low on confidence having been through a horrendous run of games at Batley and Dewsbury away, then Bradford midweek, which we didn't need.

FULL TIME

"Playing two full time teams in four days is as hard as it gets for us, and the second one being the furthest journey you have to do.

"They sound like excuses, but we just need a bit of time to recover and then can move on.

"We've got through a tough spell, been away a lot from our own ground, but now we have three really interesting home games coming up so we are looking forward to them."

Other Championship results ­-

Swinton 22, Sheffield 18; Leigh 54, Workington 12; Featherstone 30, Whitehaven 18; Dewsbury 8, Halifax 24; Bradford 17, Batley 16.