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by ROGER HALSTEAD
 
STEVE Deakin, as philosophical as ever, will put Oldham's forthcoming cup ties at Dewsbury and Batley on the back burner and concentrate the attention of his squad on more immediate matters . . . like this Sunday's important NL2 derby clash with Rochdale Hornets at Boundary Park (3pm kick off).
 
Centre Craig Littler and loose-forward Tommy Grundy are currently doubtful with leg and back injuries respectively, but new recruit Ian Hodson will be eligible for selection and Chris Baines will also come into the reckoning, having performed 18th man duties in the Carnegie Challenge Cup win at Swinton last Sunday.
 
Having already turned Boundary Park into the mythical "fortress", Oldham will go into this clash with their fierce derby rivals on the back of ten home wins in a row in all competitions, going back to the NL2 defeat by Celtic Crusaders eight months ago. This season's six wins out of six -- six of the best -- have included victories against NL1 teams Salford and Whitehaven in the Northern Rail Cup.
 
The game will also provide the season's "decider" in the Oldham-Rochdale battle for bragging rights. Including the pre-season Law Cup game, each team has won two derby clashes. Hornets won the Law Cup and the NRC group game at Spotland, this by 32-22. In reply, Oldham blitzed the old enemy 38-8 at Boundary Park in the NRC and won 46-32 at Spotland in the first game of the NL2 campaign on Good Friday.
 
While Oldham were progressing to the last 16 of the Carnegie Challenge Cup with their 20-8 win at Swinton last Sunday, Hornets were going down 42-5 to Super League outfit Hull at Spotland.
 
But even before that game it appears that everyone in the Hornets camp already had this week's derby clash in their sights. On the day before the Hull game, coach Bobbie Goulding was quoted thus in the Rochdale Observer: "I'm not saying we are down and beaten already. We'll have a go. If we play against sides in our division and give 100 per cent then I'm confident of a result, but against Super League sides it's a different kettle of fish.
 
"Pride can go a long way and it could help us for the week after against Oldham. The lads are chomping at the bit for that game. We can't play Carl Hughes and John Hill tomorrow (against Hull), but they will be available for the week after."
 
Goulding was full of praise for the effort his team had put in against the full-timers. "From 1 to 17 they busted a gut," he said, "and I am proud of every one of them."
 
Selection of both teams will be deferred until later in the week, but it would appear that Hodson could be making his season's debut in the Oldham 17 with recent recruits Hughes and Hill stepping up to the Hornets side.
 
Before then, the derby rivals meet at Reserve level tomorrow (Thursday) night at the former Castleton Gabriels ground in Castleton, Rochdale, kick off 7.30pm. Admission is £2 for everyone. It is now confirmed that Lee Wingfield will continue his comeback in the Oldham side, having made his first appearance after injury for nearly 12 months in the Roughyeds reserves side which was beaten at Salford last week.
 
Last night's Carnegie Challenge Cup draw which gave Oldham a tie against NL1 opposition at Dewsbury means Deakin's boys will face two knock-out tests in Heavy Woollen country in the space of a fornight.
 
They will go to Dewsbury on Sunday, May 11 in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup and then travel to that part of Yorkshire again on Sunday, May 25 to take on Batley in the last eight of the Northern Rail Cup.
 
The NL2 game at London Skolars, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 10, will have to be re-arranged, and the match at Gateshead orignally set down for Saturday, May 24 has already been rescheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 7.30pm kick off.
 
Commenting on the Dewsbury tie, Deaks said: "Like Batley in the NRC, it could have been worse, and it could have been better. But you have to play the cards you are given, so we'll just get on with it. It isn't a tie that will put a lot of money in the coffers, but in many ways it will be an attractive one to both sets of supporters.
 
"Both clubs will view it as a tie they are capable of winning. I know we will. Like the Batley game also, it is another opportunity for us to test ourselves and show what we can do against NL1 opposition."