Sunday Lunchtime's Coming
Ah, the Challenge Cup soon comes whistling round. And, despite the initial
jolt of being drawn away at Higginshaw Road, we find ourselves at Spotland
on Sunday against opposition from the wrong end of the A627M.
Switching the game keeps Oldham St Annes on the road, having played at home
only once in the last 12 weeks.
Currently sitting third bottom of the Conference Premier Division, they arrive
on Sunday on the back of a home defeat by Thornhill Trojans. Led by man of
the match scrum half Lee Charlesworth, they created several, decent chances,
but still came up short at 16-20.
Their team on the day included former Hornets Jason and David Best and (if
my memory serves me half correctly) former Hornets Academy player Danny Tyrell.
Also in the squad is languid ex-Hornets second rower MIck Martindale.
Having already disposed of Wigan St Patricks and Featherstone Lions, the
Conference outfit will undoubtedly be looking to emulate their performance
at this stage three years ago when they embarassed Batley 10-0.
Equally, Hornets will be keen to get this potential banana skin out of the
way. Placing the Cup at this point in the season pits amateur teams with
four months' match practice against pro-sides with one game under their belts
- it's custom built to leave egg on someone's face.
Whilst not exactly jumping with joy at last week's performance against Workington,
Hally felt that there were some positives to take from what was a victory
that looked harder than it should have been.
Certainly, Ian Watson's probing play exposed the fact that we could be lacking
a quality number 6 (both Ayresey and Woody looked... er..., ring rusty),
but the pack stood up well to a resolute battering and both Mick Nanyn and
Casey Mayberry look like they can cause a bit of damage.
Most pleasing from our point of view was Damian Ball's defensive display.
His tenacious tackling formed the backbone of the Hornets defence - and if
he's fit to play 80 minutes, I'd leave him out there.
Whilst Sunday appears at a glance to be a low-key, foregone conclusion in
terms of the outcome, the Challenge Cup is vitally important to all clubs.
And whilst we're reasonably sure that it won't be us that's climbing the
steps at the Millennium Stadium come May, there's always a chance that we
can ruin someone's year on the way - which is what will be going through
St Annes' minds too.
So, we have the buzz of the Challenge Cup, an amateur side with a point to
prove, the chance of a 'big name' in the next round and a local derby to
boot. All the ingredients for a good old-fashioned blood & thunder
Cup Tie. You'd be mad to miss it - and don't forget it's a 12.o'clock kick
off!
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