York must defy Sinfield factor

HISTORY suggests York City Knights should secure their dream of promotion tomorrow given opponents Oldham Roughyeds have lost the last three Championship One play-off finals.

However, Dave Woods's side are fully aware of the lengths their desperate rivals have gone to in order to end that dismal run at the fourth attempt.

Oldham coach Tony Benson called on Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield to give his squad a motivational speech about how best to prepare mentally and physically for matches of such great importance.

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Sinfield, who has led Leeds to three successive Grand Final triumphs while Oldham have been failing, hails from the town and his encouragement has had a marked effect.

"Kevin was brilliant," said Benson. "He clearly has a soft spot for the Roughyeds.

"His talk was inspirational and extremely valuable. He even inspired me – and I won't be playing."

But York, who finished 13 points behind Oldham in the table, have been eager to force another clash with a side who they only narrowly lost to 41-32 in the recent qualifying semi-final before seeing off Blackpool to reach Warrington.

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City Knights club captain Jordan Ross, who will emigrate to Australia after the game, said: "Oldham are a very good side and they've shown that all season but we were desperate for a

re-match.

"Now that we've got the chance, we believe we're good enough to beat Oldham – we were very close last time – and we're very grateful for the chance to go to Warrington and play for promotion.

"For me, to be given the opportunity to leave on a winning note is indescribable.

"I couldn't put into words what it would mean to depart as a Play-off final-winning captain."

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have signed Warrington Wolves winger Kevin Penny and Crusaders' former Hull FC hooker Tommy Lee on two-year deals.