PAUL MARCH believes Cougars laid the platform for a "winning mentality" in Sunday’s win over Oldham as they seek promotion to the Championship.

March’s new-look side eked out an impressive 16-8 friendly home win over the Roughyeds in their opening pre-season friendly.

Halifax visit Cougar Park next Wednesday (7.45pm kick-off) and, although Richard Marshall is expected to field a largely reserve side, March is focused on producing another solid display.

The head coach said: “The Oldham game was all about setting standards and starting the year off with a winning mentality.

“We knew Oldham would be tough opposition because they are moving up a division and we’re staying down, but we won the game and deservedly so.

“Hopefully we can keep building and building ahead of the new season because it’s important to go into the league games with momentum.

“Yes, it was a friendly and we’re not going to get carried away, but let’s continue with that winning mentality because as a professional sportsman you want to win every game you play.”

Halifax enjoyed an outstanding 2015 campaign, beating Bradford during the regular season and in the Qualifiers, and are expected to make further progress this year.

March added: “Halifax will be another test for us, depending on what sort of team they send.

“They’re calling it a reserve-grade fixture but it will still test us and we will play a few of our youngsters.

“At this stage of the season, we’re looking to work on different combinations and getting everyone some game-time.”

New recruits Ritchie Hawkyard, Vinny Finigan, Aaron Ollett, Sonny Esslemont and John Oakes made their first appearances for the club against Oldham.

Charlie Martin, who was on trial at Bradford this time last year and played for Keighley on dual reg in 2013, also featured and claimed the man of the match honours with a fine try-scoring display in the centres.

March, whose side achieved a 92 per cent completion rate in the second half against Oldham, added: “It was a dogfight, but I thought every one of the new signings came in and showed glimpses of what they are capable of.

“Charlie Martin got man of the match and he gives me another option in the centres if I need him.

“He’s a back-rower, but he played in the centres on Sunday and ran a nice line for his try.

“Defensively he was very strong, but all the new signings showed some good touches here and there.”

Tyler Dickinson watched from the stands against Oldham and Jode Sheriffe is making progress in his recovery from injury.

March said: “Jode started running earlier this month but is still a few weeks away. Darren Hawkyard is back in full training now and is about three or four weeks off playing, while Sean Kelly is doing his rehab on his knee and is still a long-term absentee.

“There are other players from last year’s squad who didn’t play against Oldham and will also come in and spice things up.

“The competition for places is there in a 34-man squad and everyone wants to play on a Sunday afternoon, but not everyone can so it’s about staying on your toes all the time.

“It’s about going one step further this season and getting promoted because we’ve got the players to do it and the lads have come back even more focused than ever.”