Connor McKeown, a student at Leeds Trinity University, has recently joined our media team. Connor looks ahead to Sunday with a preview of our trip to Stalybridge to face Oldham in the 1895 Cup:

After an emotional weekend for the Parksiders, Hunslet travel to Oldham for a mouthwatering 1895 Cup match, with the club hoping to progress past Round One for the first time in the competition’s seven-year existence.

In 1895, Oldham and Hunslet were two of the twenty-two to break away from the Rugby Football Union and form the new professional Northern Union, giving us Rugby League.

Our first match under the new code was against each other on September 14th, 1895.

Now, nearly one-hundred-and-thirty-one years later, the pair meet in the first round of the 1895 Cup

To start with the home side, Oldham have recruited well over the past few seasons, being able to boast names like Josh Drinkwater, Jack Walker and Jake Bibby. The side come into this game undefeated in four in the league, defeating Halifax at The Shay over the weekend, 12-28. An important head-to-head could be from the tee, with both teams’ kickers having an influential weekend. Jowitt kicked 100% of his conversion attempts against Newcastle and Oldham’s Riley Dean kicked five from six against Halifax.

Admittedly, since 1974, the overall record against Oldham hasnot been a positive one, as Hunslet have won just five of eighteen meetings and drawn once in 1978. But, winning their last two games against Keighley Cougars and Newcastle Thunder, the Parksiders come to Bowers Fold defiant.

After a power-packed performance and being voted as the Phoenix Bar’s Player of the Match on Sunday, Eddie Battye should come into the game brimming with confidence. The ex-Super league forward has brought size, experience and leadership in the middle, with his powerful running and important ball-playing ability likely to cause Oldham’s pack problems.

Another vital cog in the Hunslet machine is Dan Abram. Abram’s ability to turn the scraps of possession Hunslet are likely to have in this game is paramount. Oldham’s play style is suffocating, as they look to kick early, kick long and forceerrors – but Abram’s ability to organise the back field, havecalmness in yardage and shift the ball quickly onto Hunslet’sstrike is something that could foil Oldham’s plans

And last, but not least, is club captain Billy Jowitt. Over the weekend, Jowitt was formidable, even managing to remain composed kicking the match-winning penalty, earning himself sponsors ‘Tricks of the Trade’ Player of the Match. His performance last weekend will undoubtably spur him on to take the game to Oldham.

The Parksiders, with the competition being knockout, can beat Oldham on the day. The team’s optimism and ability to overcome adversity, as shown in the past few weeks, is undeniable. On Sunday, they must bring their defiance and treat the game like a cup final, stay in the fight and remain disciplined to stand a chance of progressing against what is a very good side.