AFTER several free weekends, hooker Sean Slater has been doing his utmost to keep match fit for the North Wales Crusaders game this weekend.
By the time Roughyeds face the Colwyn Bay-based club on Sunday March 26, it will have been 21 days since the club’s last game, a 62-18 victory over London Skolars.
During that time, Crusaders have beaten Thatto Heath 18-10 in the Challenge Cup and lost 30-16 away at Doncaster, yesterday.
“It’s about staying match fit by doing bits of fitness work and going to the gym in my own time,” said Slater.
“I go whenever I can, work permitting, or I will ride my bike which helps with my legs and my knee which I injured last year.”
While only having played one game, Roughyeds are currently fourth in the table and Slater believes the club is better placed to challenge teams than it was 12 months ago.
“We’ve got a lot of good quality players and it seems like we have a lot more skill and experience in the side and players who have been there and done it,” said Slater.
“In training you can see a difference, and plans coming along, and I’d like to think we’re in a better position to challenge this year.
“The new signings have fitted in well and off the pitch there is a good bond between everyone.”
Crusaders did the double over Oldham last year, but prior to that Roughyeds had won all five of their previous meetings dating back to 2015.
North Wales are winless in League 1 after they lost to Hunslet, Dewsbury and Doncaster.
They are coached by Carl Forster who has doubled up as a player and scored a try against Hunslet this season.
Proven try-scorer Rob Massam has scored tries in his last three meetings against Oldham, and had 20 to his name last year, but has only made one appearance in League 1 this season despite being included in several 21-man squads.
Oldham have been impressive so far and, including pre-season, have scored 33 points a game on average, but Roughyeds have also allowed teams chances to get a foothold in certain games.
“We always go on about putting in an 80 minute performance and if we can do that, we can do really well against North Wales,” said Slater.
“I watched them against Thatto Heath, and if we play like we did in the first half against Doncaster and London, then we will cause them problems.”
Elsewhere in League 1, Dewsbury extended their winning run after they beat Workington 25-6, Rochdale narrowly beat Midlands 32-24, and Hunslet hammered London Skolars 66-22.
Admission prices for the away trip at Stadium Eirias are £12 for adults, £10 for concessions and £3 for under-16s.
The game kicks off on March 26 at 2:30pm and tickets can be bought at the Crusaders ticket page
