SEPTEMBER wouldn’t be September in local rugby league circles if Oldham were not locked in a Kingstone Press Championship One play-off series with promotion as the ultimate prize.
This year is no exception as the Roughyeds battle to reach the Grand Final at Headingley on Sunday, October 5 in a series that is now down to four clubs – Oldham, York, Hunslet and Gateshead.
It started with the teams finishing the regular season from one to five – Oldham finished
third – but Hemel Stags (5th) were eliminated after a narrow 15-14 defeat at Gateshead in their first-round clash.
Oldham, beaten finalists five times out of the last seven play-off tournaments, did themselves a massive favour by recording an enthralling 25-24 win at Hunslet and now head to table-toppers York on Sunday (September 21) for the right to go through to the final.
The play-off series is so structured that the losers at York will have another chance at home on September 28 against the winners of Hunslet versus Gateshead, which also takes place this coming weekend.
As a result of all this frenzied end-of-season activity, with only the Grand Final winners to be promoted, play-off fever is spreading among Oldham fans, who are expected to provide the team at York with their biggest following since last year’s final.
“Play-off rugby is in the club’s DNA,” said chairman Chris Hamilton. “It brings out the best in us, on and off the field.
“The club becomes alive with excitement and eager anticipation. That was again borne out at Hunslet, as anyone who was there will testify.”
Fans left their seats in the stand and were waiting on the running track to back-slap the players as they walked off the pitch victorious.
Since 2007, Oldham have been in more play-off battles than any other Championship One club, having been beaten finalists in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013.
Added Hamilton: “More than anybody, we know the utter dejection of defeat in the final, but that only serves to make us more determined to get there and win it.
“As Scott (head coach Naylor) has already made clear publicly, he and the players targeted promotion at the start of the year and the win at Hunslet showed they mean business.
“It took a massive effort to win there. As much as anything it was a triumph for character and resilience.
“I was proud to be associated with the club and delighted for all concerned, not least the fans, many of whom have supported us all season and all around the country.
“They had a great night at Hunslet and we know they’ll be turning out in numbers at York, who’ve been the best team all season.
“It will be tough, but Scott and his squad are eagerly looking forward to it and they’ll be going with a lot of self-belief.
“The players know that with the staff we have in place behind the scenes no stone will be left unturned in their preparation.”
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