OLDHAM begin their AB Sundecks 1895 cup campaign with a return to Boundary Park, as they play host to current holders Halifax Panthers. Championship Halifax will be a stern test for Sean Long’s new look Oldham side. Here we give you a little insight into our visitors.
Head Coach
Halifax begin the season with a new leader at the helm in former international half back, as well as local lad, Liam Finn. Finn began his own professional career with the then-named Halifax Blue Sox in the 2002 Super League season. He went on to make 494 appearances in the professional game with various clubs between Super League and the second tier, eventually bringing an end to his career playing for Dewsbury Rams. He then took the step into coaching at Halifax as an assistant to then-head coach Simon Grix, but it wasn’t long before the call came for Finn to become head coach at Dewsbury. Thirteen months later, he was asked to take over the vacant role left by friend Simon Grix at Halifax.
One to Watch
Since Liam Finn has arrived at the club, he has made some shrewd signings with great Super league experience behind them – Greg Eden and Adam O’Brien being two, as well as the signing of Halifax-born Gareth Widdop which raised eyebrows across the rugby league landscape. Widdop has, predominantly, been utilised in the halves during his career, but can also play at full-back, though it looks like Finn will use him as a half. His ability to control matches, as well as his kicking game, proves he is a threat.
Widdop moved to Australia as a 17-year-old, which is where he was spotted by Melbourne Storm, the club he made his debut in the NRL. He went on to gain international caps for England, before leaving for the St George Illawarra Dragons. During his final season with the Dragons, Widdop received a call-up to the Great Britain side which toured Australia, before returning to England to play for Warrington Wolves. After a two-season stint at the Wire, he moved across the Pennines to play for Castleford Tigers for a season, before signing a deal to play for Halifax.
Recent Form
Halifax ended their season with a run of wins against Keighley, Whitehaven and Toulouse but finished with a loss against Swinton. With a new coach, and different playing squad, it will be no surprise that they will come with a different approach. Like Oldham, they’ve travelled away to Keighley Cougars for a pre-season fixture, coming away with a 16-6 win, but they have also had a Christmas Eve fixture with Bradford Bulls where they fell to a narrow 24-16 loss.
Previous Meetings
Recent match-ups have been closely-contested, with Halifax recording three wins compared to the two for Oldham in the last five games. Oldham currently have the bragging rights having secured a 16-12 victory in the previous game between the two sides.
Tickets are still available for the game at Boundary Park and are priced at £20 for adults, £14 for concessions and free for under-16s.
Fans can purchase tickets on our ticketing page or alternatively, pay on the day at the cash-only turnstiles.
