NORTH Wales Crusaders could have as many as FOUR former Oldham players in their 17 for today’s very important Betfred League One clash with Stu Littler’s men at the Vestacare Stadium, kick-off 3pm.
In last Sunday’s 32-24 win over Rochdale, Crusaders had Jack Holmes and the massive Matt Reid in the centre; Matthew Fletcher at stand-off; and Jordan Andrade on the bench, all ex-Oldham campaigners. Reid took s knock which may put him in the doubtful category for this one but, either way, there will be a big ex-Roughyeds influence in the Welsh side.
One thing is for sure. Familiarity will certainly not breed contempt, Roughyeds respecting all opponents and especially so in this case, given that all four are more than capable of making life tough for the home side, particularly in regard to any extra motivation they might get from playing a team, of which they were once members.
The use of Fletcher at half-back last time out was interesting. In his Oldham days he was always regarded as a forward so it will be intriguing to see if he has the skills associated with a stand-off and whether he has the know-how to avoid being old-headed by Martyn Ridyard.
Tommy Brierley and James Thornton replace dual-reg hooker Tom Forber and our new prop signing Josh Johnson in the Roughyeds 21-man squad. Forber has gone from Wigan Warriors to Widnes Vikings on loan, while Johnson has another commitment which was made before he signed for the club last week.
The 21 include two youngsters from Wigan in stand-off Kieran Tyrer and front-rower Harvey Wilson, Tyrer the son of our former player, Sean Tyrer and Wilson the grandson of another Roughyeds old boy, Ken ‘Tug’ Wilson, equally revered at Oldham and at Waterhead ARLFC where the club’s gymnasium is named after him.
Squad: Ah Van, Blagbrough, Brierley, Cameron, Carr, Hartley, Hirst, McNally, Meadows, Moran, Morgan, Nelmes, Newton, Rawsthorne, Ridyard, Slater, Thornton, Tyrer, Whittel, Wilkinson, Wilson.
Crusaders player-coach Carl Forster believes the inclusion of Owain Abel, Rob Massam, Brad Billsborough and himself in the latest Rugby League World Team of the Month is fully justified with Cru wins against Cornwall, London Skolars and Midlands Hurricanes in which the club racked up a total of 164 points.
Don’t forget there’s a curtain-raiser, kicking off at 12.15pm, featuring the new Oldham Women’s team against Crusaders. It will be the first time our Women have played in front of a Vestacare crowd.
