Signing swoop for Ballard

ROUGHYEDS have continued the reshaping of the squad for next season with the addition of Salford City Reds flyer Andy Ballard.

The 22-year-old goalkicking winger, who has penned a one-year deal with Oldham, will be no stranger to Roughyeds fans.

He kicked six out of seven goals in a 40-12 home win over Oldham in a Northern Rail Cup tie earlier this season, following that up with a superb try during his side’s 18-14 Boundary Park defeat, streaking home past two players with a run that began inside his own half.

“He is an exciting player who is very strong running the ball back,” said Oldham chief executive Chris Hamilton.

“He has a lot of pace and a good defence too.

“As you would expect with someone of his quality, other clubs were interested. But he has ended up signing for us so naturally we are delighted.”

Ballard is originally from Wigan, coming up through the ranks at The Willows. The brother of Celtic Crusaders winger Paul, he was voted Salford under-21s player’s player of the season in 2007 before breaking through to claim a number of first-team spots this year.

Having suffered during the latter half of the campaign with hernia problems, he was one of eight players to be released by Salford and was first linked with an Oldham switch last month.

ABILITIES

Ballard’s goal-kicking abilities are likely to be called upon next season, following the deal which takes regular kicker Mick Nanyn, who has amassed 346 points for the club in 2008, to Super League outfit Harlequins.

He becomes the second player to sign a new deal ahead of the new season, following on from captain Rob Roberts.

Meanwhile, the squad convened last night for a video session following the disappointing 32-20 home defeat to Doncaster.

The players will be back in tonight as preparations for the crunch Boundary Park final eliminator against Rochdale Hornets on Sunday continue.

No new injuries have been thrown up by the Doncaster match, but Ian Hodson (elbow), who missed out, is still struggling.