Oldham 'freshers' preparing for Law Cup exam

Jack Holmes

Oldham's players clocked off for Christmas on Thursday 21 December with thoughts already turning to the Law Cup game at Rochdale on Sunday, 7 January.

The new-look squad has steadily and gradually increased in number since pre-season work began in early November and it now numbers 21, ten of whom are 'freshers'.

They include three who have worn Roughyeds colours previously, Liam Bent, who was on loan last season from Salford but is now fully contracted to Oldham; Jack Holmes, back after a stint at Rochdale; and Danny Rasool, who played in the reserves at Whitebank five years ago as a 17-year-old unknown.

The other newcomers are goalkicking stand-off Paul Crook (from Whitehaven), prop Luke Nelmes (Halifax), full-back Kyran Johnson (Featherstone), winger Dave Eccleston (St Helens), centre Matt Reid (Coventry), second-rower Adam Jones (Swinton) and second-rower Danny Bridge, who has been playing in Australia for Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup for the past two seasons.

One of his last games for Dolphins was a never-to-be-forgotten experience for the Oldham-born Bridge who flew from Queensland to Papua New Guinea for a semi-final in Port Moresby against a PNG Hunters side which included ten members of the Kumuls' World Cup squad, including vice-captain Asa Boas.

Dolphins led 4-0 at half-time, but finally succumbed 4-6 after a late try by Boas for the Hunters side, who were backed by their fanatical fans in a real thriller played in hot, humid conditions.

It will be vastly different conditions when Bridge, this time in Oldham colours, goes back to his old club at Rochdale in a fortnight's time for the traditional Law Cup clash between these fierce derby rivals.

Oldham coach Scott Naylor said: "We train again between Christmas and New Year and the week after that we will be getting ready for Rochdale.

"The start of the new season seems to have come round exceptionally quickly this year. It feels like the quickest pre-season we have ever had.

"They say time flies when you are enjoying yourself and I think that has had a lot to do with it. We have had a great time together since early November and it has helped to freshen things up with having so many new faces."

Of the 21 on contract only hooker Gareth Owen is still rehabilitating after suffering a serious foot injury last season.

Naylor added: "All the others are fully fit and ready to go, but 'Gaz' is not ready yet. He hopes to start running in two or three weeks and, for his comeback, he has targeted the start of the season proper in mid-February or, maybe, in the last of the three friendlies.

"Either way, he is under no pressure. The main thing is that he gets himself right before he plays again."