Oldham’s friendly trip

OLDHAM are set to renew rivalries with Barrow this weekend.

A friendly clash, yet to be officially ratified by the RFL, has been swiftly arranged.

The game is set to be played out at Craven Park on Sunday, February 1 (2pm kick off), a week prior to the start of the Northern Rail Cup competition.

Last term, only one point separated the promoted Cumbrian side from the Roughyeds at the end of the regular season, with Oldham’s backs-to-the-wall 34-22 home win over Barrow — in which the visitors picked up that precious bonus point — proving to be crucial.

The Roughyeds will head into the game with plenty of confidence following a pleasing show in losing 28-20 against a full-strength Leigh outfit on their new home turf. Report on Page 16.

Oldham had led the game 16-12 at half-time and the effort left chief executive Chris Hamilton feeling positive.

Paul Reilly missed yesterday’s game at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium due to a shoulder injury he picked up at work. The hope is that he will be recover in time to play this coming weekend.

Gary Sykes (knee) and Jason Boults (elbow) are the main injured parties to have emerged from the game. Both will be examined at training this week and it is as yet unclear the extent of their respective problems.

Administrators acting for Rochdale Hornets, Oldham’s first opponents in the NRC, have confirmed they are currently engaged in talks with a party interested in taking over the club. There is not believed to be a connection to Rochdale FC.