Oldham duo in fitness battle

RIGHT-FLANK partners David Cookson and Mo Agoro are fighting for fitness as Oldham RL Club prepare for Sunday's clash with Hemel Stags at Whitebank.

Agoro pulled a groin in training last week and was forced to miss the first game of the year in South Wales.

Cookson, his regular centre, was under treatment last week for a similar injury and suffered a recurrence on a heavy pitch at Maesteg.

"At this stage both are in doubt," said coach Scott Naylor. "With hindsight it was perhaps a mistake to play Cookson in Wales. A couple of other players picked up knocks, but the big question marks concern Cookie and Mo."

Naylor played Steven Nield on the right wing on Sunday with Tom Whitehead at full-back, but if he had to find a replacement for Cookson too, it could prove more of a problem.

One solution would be to keep Sam Gee at centre and to recall Ben Wood. Also pushing will be back-row forward Mark Hobson who, along with new recruit George Tyson, didn’t make the squad that led 18-4 when referee Adam Gill called a halt with eight minutes still to play.

Dale Bloomfield went off with hypothermia-type symptoms early in the second half and Danny Whitmore, Brett Robinson and Kenny Hughes suffered similar symptoms, but stayed on the field.

Prop Phil Joy, who has also been battling a groin injury, may be cleared for his first run-out of the year in the under-20s side to play Leigh Centurions at Whitebank on Saturday afternoon.



Oldham has been awarded the points from late-abandoned opening Kingstone Press Championship One match against South Wales Scorpions on Sunday.

Roughyeds were leading 18–4 when referee Adam Gill blew for time after 72 minutes, after several players complained of hypothermia–like symptoms.