Roberts hoping to avoid ban

ROB ROBERTS: Faces the RFL disciplinary committee.

ROUGHYEDS officials are confident that skipper Rob Roberts stands a good chance of being handed a favourable verdict when he goes in front of the RFL disciplinary panel a week today.

The 28-year-old was sent off for apparently lashing out at Keighley man Jamaine Wray five minutes before half-time in an off-the-ball incident during Sunday’s National league Two fixture at Boundary Park.

The match DVD is believed to have picked up the incident, which occurred in back play, and Oldham believe that their man will be shown not to be the initial aggressor.

“We feel there was provocation and we will be setting out to demonstrate that,” said chief executive Chris Hamilton, who will make a personal appearance alongside Roberts at the hearing.

The best result for Oldham, a sending-off-sufficient verdict, would mean that the loose forward would be available to play at Doncaster on Wednesday, August 6, a game which is swiftly followed by the massive home clash with Barrow on Sunday, August 10.

Ahead of that busy period, which starts with a visit to York this Sunday — which Roberts is definitely eligible for — the club’s injuries situation is easing.

Hooker Simeon Hoyle could return from an ankle injury to face the in-form Knights and the all-clear verdict on knee injuries to Jason Boults and Adam Robinson also serve to boost coach Steve Deakin’s options.

Mick Nanyn’s dead leg picked up against the Cougars shouldn’t prevent him taking to the field, while stand-off Neil Roden has a chance of coming back at number six after missing the last two games with a back problem.

Even though Simon Baldwin and Lee Wingfield have been released this week, it may be that the club elects not to add further to the playing squad prior to the National League Two signings deadline on Wednesday, August 8.

“Those two players leaving doesn’t have a big impact in terms of the salary cap,” Mr Hamilton added.

“You have to consider as well that we have Luke Menzies here on loan and he is on a full-time deal at Hull KR.”



A HANDFUL of places are still available for John Hough's testimonial golf day.

The event for the Roughyeds stalwart takes place at Ashton Golf Club on Friday, August 1 (meet noon for a 1pm shotgun start).

A dinner-only option is now open for those who wish to attend.

For further information, call the Roughyeds club office on (0161) 628 3677.

KEIGHLEY Cougars have become the world’s first professional rugby league club to donate their main shirt sponsorship to charity.

The Sue Ryder Care Manorlands Hospice at Oxenhope will have its logo displayed on Cougars jerseys for the next three seasons.