Tamghart hit by eight-game ban

THREE Oldham reserves players have picked up suspensions at a Rugby Football League hearing following a recent brawl at Barrow.

Mohammed Tamghart, who is highly unlikely to return to the club following the end of his trial period, is banned for the maximum eight matches after being found guilty of punching at Grade E level.

Oldham St Anne’s forward Phil Jagger got four matches for a similar offence at Grade D, while Rochdale Mayfield man Ben Heaton will miss one match at Grade C.

The players in question, now having returned to their amateur clubs, should be free to play in BARLA winter competitons. The bans would then be served out once the professional reserves grade leagues start up again in 2009, though the St Anne’s club were seeking confirmation of this as the Chronicle went to press.

Meanwhile, with Michael Brown having been sent back to Huddersfield early from his month’s loan at the Roughyeds due to an unspecified disciplinary matter and top points Mick Nanyn still struggling with a fractured thumb, the hole at left centre could be filled by the return to fitness of Craig Littler.

“Ideally it would be too soon for Craig to go straight back in,” said coach Steve Deakin, of a player who has been out of action since cracking his jaw in the televised match at home to Doncaster a month ago.

“But sometimes needs must and he has never let us down before in similar circumstances.”

The players train tonight and tomorrow in preparation for the final match of the regular National League Two season, at home to Workington Town at Boundary Park on Sunday.

Deakin anticipates having Richard Mervill, unavailable last week, back in the squad, but Matty Brooks will definitely be out until the start of a possible play-off campaign due to his torn calf muscle.

While for the last three weeks the weight of injuries has forced the Roughyeds coach to name his side during the pre-match warm-up, this time he hopes to finalise a line-up tomorrow evening.