Double boost for Naylor's Oldham

OLDHAM RL Club received a double tonic ahead of today's Championship Shield clash with Sheffield Eagles at Bower Fold (3pm kick-off).

Hooker Gareth Owen and second-row forward Gary Middlehurst, who were both sin-binned in the second half at Bradford last time out, will receive no further sanction from the RFL.

As part of the RFL's normal disciplinary procedure, their cases went before the sport's Match Review Panel for video study, the outcome in each case being 'No charge' with the comment that spells in the sin-bin were sufficient punishment.

After a team warning, Owen was given a yellow card for a high tackle in the 67th minute but "contact was open-handed with minimal force", according to the panel's view of the incident.

Four minutes later Middlehurst disputed a referee's decision but, concluded the panel, "did not use abusive language or behave in an aggressive manner."

Like Oldham coach Scott Naylor, Sheffield's Mark Aston was looking for a positive response after a disappointing team performance last week in a home defeat by Swinton. Oldham's boss hoped for a reaction after an 82-0 hammering at Bradford.

Roughyeds hoped home advantage would tip things in their favour, given they had already beaten Dewsbury Rams, Kells, Batley Bulldogs, Sheffield, Featherstone Rovers, Whitehaven, Swinton Lions and Workington Town at Bower Fold in their first season of Championship rugby.

Said Naylor: "Eagles won't want to lose two in a row and since we beat them at their place a couple of months ago they've been playing a lot better."

Other games today: Dewsbury Rams v Bradford Bulls; Swinton Lions v Workington Town; Whitehaven v Halifax.