Hamilton counts the cost of Law Cup loss

Reporter: Chris Lynham
Date online: 19 January 2012

OLDHAM RL chairman Chris Hamilton spoke of his disappointment after Rochdale Hornets pulled out of the annual Law Cup showdown.

But he refused to be drawn into a war of words with Hornets’ director of rugby, John Stankevitch.

The friendly was postponed for a third time at the weekend due to Whitebank’s frozen playing surface, with bad weather conditions accounting for the first two attempts earlier this month.

Roughyeds set their sights on honouring the fixture in midweek, but after a Hornets board meeting, Stankevitch pulled the plug, with a view to trying again in 2013.

Hamilton said: “Rochdale got in touch to confirm they would not be facing us in the Law Cup this time, and they would like to do it next January.

“It is disappointing. This is the main friendly of the year, one both sets of supporters eagerly look forward to when pre-season comes around.

“With income being lost due to the postponement, as far as we are concerned it will have a detrimental effect. But there is nothing we can do now and we have to just get on with it.”

Earlier in the week, Stankevitch suggested via Twitter that facilities at Whitebank were not up to scratch and he has since issued a statement on his own website — something on which Hamilton will not comment.

Stankevitch said: “My Twitter comment was ‘Hornets v Oldham off for the third time. Total embarrassment. Maybe Whitebank facilities need looking at?

“Over the past two seasons I have highlighted concerns, publicly and privately, regarding the facilities at Whitebank, which have included the state of the pitch, the surrounding playing areas, the floodlights, the changing rooms and the shower/toilet facilities.

“I don’t believe that this is of a standard that my players should have to play at.

“We don’t think we are something we are not, and are happy to play at ANY facility that is in a fit state for the players’ health and safety.

“In no way do I blame individuals at Oldham or the officials who postponed the game, but I do question the suitability of Whitebank for playing Co-operative Championship One fixtures.

“I understand the staff at Oldham are working hard to improve this situation, but the bottom line is that I am not prepared to let a game take place at Whitebank in the current conditions, especially midweek, when my players have been working all day and are fatigued.

“In my opinion, this is a recipe for disaster.

“I hope this clarifies my position and puts fans of Oldham and Rochdale fully in the picture regarding my original comments.”