Top trio to sit out derby test

A TRIO of top-performing Roughyeds players are set to miss tomorrow night’s derby clash with Rochdale — but there is good news on the injuries front elsewhere.

Stevie Gibbons (shoulder) and Thomas Coyle (knee) both still have swelling around their respective knocks picked up during the victory over Widnes on Friday night, while it is a similar story with captain Robert Roberts (back), who played through the pain to bravely step back onto the field late on at the Stobart Stadium.

Coach Tony Benson hopes that Gary Sykes (knee) will be fit enough to step into the breach left by Gibbons at hooker — Thomas Coyle was down to operate there, but for his own injury — while Dave Allen has a good chance of playing at loose forward in place of Roberts. Final decisions will be made after the injuries are assessed tonight.

Meanwhile, the Vikings have responded to that opening-game Northern Rail Cup defeat by sacking coach Steve McCormack. Assistant John Stankevitch has taken over on a caretaker basis.

McCormack had been in charge at Widnes since 2005, taking the club to two Grand Finals and a Northern Rail Cup victory, and he said: “It’s a disappointing day but I have really enjoyed my time at Widnes.

“The club has suffered many ups and downs both on and off the field and I hope that eventually it achieves its goal of a return to the top flight competition.”

Celtic Crusaders have re-signed winger Paul Ballard, brother of Oldham’s Andy.

The 24-year-old former Leigh and Widnes player scored 40 tries in 49 appearances for the Welsh club across the past two seasons.




THE third-round draw for the Carnegie Challenge Cup takes place tonight and will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Manchester from around 7.25pm.



Saddleworth Rangers represent the town’s amateur sides in the hat, at a stage of the competition in which Oldham Roughyeds also become involved as well as sides from France and Russia.