Oldham 38, Cougars 4 - STEVE DEAKIN was forced to turn out a make-shift team after most of the club's professional players staged an 'injury-strike' last weekend.

Many of the senior players claimed they were unable to turn out because of injury, but were unable to convince the club's loyal fans. Any who decide to stay with the club will have to work extremely hard to rebuild the support they have received throughout their careers with the club.

Several of the 'injured' sat in the stand as a bunch of A Team players -- and hastily recruited amateurs -- took on Oldham and produced a performance of heroic proportions.

The 'injured' players turned their backs on photographers and Jason Lee said he was spokesman for the group and they were all injured. Members of the team which took on Chorley the previous week who found themselves unable to turn out against Oldham included James Rushforth, Graeme Hallas, Jason Lee, Matthew Walker, Craig Murdock, Mick Slicker, Allan Boothroyd, Paul Harrison, Ian Hughes, James Leatham and Danny Seal.

Throughout the game they were taunted as cowards by the travelling army of fans who stayed on the terraces - long after the victorious Oldham fans had left - to show their appreciation for those who had shown real guts and determination.

Jason Ramshaw and Phil Stephenson were the senior players in Deakin's Heroes and led a performance which will stand in the memory of many fans privileged to witness it.

Ramshaw was simply awe inspiring, tackling with raw power and determination as he showed what real leadership is all about. Stephenson drove into the huge Oldham forwards throughout the afternoon and lifted players around him to levels they could only dream they would reach.

As the final hooter sounded it was the Oldham players who were the first to applaud the grit of their opponents.

Although the home side took a 14-4 lead into the break the scoreline came nowhere near telling the full story of 40 minutes packed with passion. Referee Colin Morris gifted Oldham their first 10 points, the first try followed a clear forward pass which went unnoticed by both the ref and his linesman. He followed up by handing them two very dubious penalties.

Ramshaw was sin-binned for questioning the second penalty decision and while he sat out his 10 minutes on the sidelines his team came up with one of the best tries of the season.

After powering upfield they played the ball out to the left wing and an inch-perfect cross-field kick was collected by right winger Gareth Hobson. He popped an overhead pass to full back Gareth Davies who darted over in the corner.

Davies had been recruited from Saddleworth amateurs and didn't put a foot wrong throughout the game. He oozed confidence in defence, tackling low and hard regardless of the size of the opponent bearing down on him.

He was joined by Martin Taylor and Jason Best, the twin brother of Dave Best, signed as trialists from Oldham St Annes just before the kick off. Their registration forms were faxed to rugby league headquarters from the Oldham ground.

Chris Kirk also showed real maturity while hooker Liam Walsh worked hard together with loose forward Carlos Sanchez who put in a tremendous work rate, but at times looked close to losing his composure.

Karl Smith tackled tenaciously and had a superb game despite playing with his shoulder heavily strapped after suffering a dislocation of the joint the previous week.

Nathan Antonik was on the bench, but was there purely to make up numbers as he is still suffering from an injured ankle.

The team survived wave after wave of Oldham pressure and had opportunities to score at the other end. For a team which met in the dressing room, they played every bit as well as the Cougar professionals which had been beaten by Whitehaven and Swinton only weeks earlier.

Right on the half time hooter Keith Brennan scored the second of his tries for Oldham. It had a devastating effect on the confidence of the young Cougar team and the home side were able to increase their tempo and dominate the second period with four tries as their extra fitness took its toll.

Anthony Gibbons ran in two tries with further scores from Gavin Todd and Kevin Mannion with seven goals from former Cougar Pat Rich, who was also given a warm reception by the Keighley fans.

In the Oldham clubhouse after the game the fans again showed their appreciation for the players who had stood by their team, holding a collection and buying drinks for the squad.

Oldham: Dodd; McNicholas, A Gibbons, Rich, Lacey, D Gibbons, Roden; Proctor, Brennan, Clegg, P Farrell, Sunfield, Mannion. Subs (all used): Barber, Norton, Guest, C Farrell.

Cougars: Gareth Davies; Hobson, Hooson, Smith, Kirk, Holker, Ramshaw, Stephenson, Walsh, D Best, Simeonovitch, Sellers, Sanchez. Subs (used): Taylor, Bowyer, Best.