Two out, one in for Roughyeds

TWO out, one in. It has been a busy 24 hours for officials at Oldham Roughyeds.

Former Wigan, Leigh and more recently Swinton hooker Gary Sykes has signed a one-year deal, but Matty Brooks and Adam Robinson have been released after they could not agree new terms.

Sykes is a like-for-like replacement for Brooks, who has been linked with a move to National League One outfit Featherstone.

“Although he featured at centre for Swinton last season, Gary is primarily a hooker and that’s where he will play,” said Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton.

“He’s been on the radar as it were and we all know, coming from a Wigan background, he will have good habits, good technique and a willingness to learn.”

Sykes made 22 starts for Swinton and three from the replacements’ bench in 2008, scoring five tries in the process. He played in all five games against Oldham, two in the National Rail Cup group stages, two in NL2 and the other in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup.

Prior to his stint at Swinton, the 22-year-old spent 2007 at Wigan, where he started his career, and also had a 12-month spell at Leigh in 2006, where he also played against Oldham.

Brooks and Robinson were presented with improved terms by Oldham, but both declined the club’s offers.

Robinson, from Wakefield, was a powerhouse for Oldham in their run to the Grand Final with his uncompromising performances in the pack while Brooks, who was originally signed on loan from Hull KR in 2007, proved a tricky customer with his darting runs.

Oldham were keen to retain both their services — Robinson was on a two-year deal, the second 12 months on the proviso they gained promotion — but the club were frustrated at being unable to thrash out fresh deals.

Mr Hamilton explained: “There has to be a sense of realisation from the players and their expectations regarding new contracts.”

Robinson could be on his way to recently-relegated Dewsbury Rams.