Coventry sent to Oldham - twice!

OLDHAM RL have welcomed the opportunity to open the new season at Whitebank by taking on League One new boys Coventry Bears in separate competitions on the first two weekends.

Last night’s draw for the third round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup produced an Oldham-Coventry clash on the weekend of March 7/8 – a week after they meet at the same venue in round one of he new League One Cup. Bears will play their first two games as a semi-professional club in Oldham.Said Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton: “Each year, the Challenge Cup is an adventure for all clubs and fans. It will seem strange to be playing the same opponents two weeks in a row, but it means we will quickly become part of the Coventry club’s history.

“More importantly, we will have the opportunity to kick-off the new season with wins in separate cup competitions.”

Bears ran Hemel Stags close, going down 28-22, in a pre-season friendly, and coach Tom Tsang is confident they will hold their own in the sport’s third tier.