New date relief for Oldham

OLDHAM’S away game at London Skolars has been brought forward a day and will now be played out on Sunday, May 3 (3pm kick off).

The two clubs have been given special RFL permission to play out their Co-operative Championship One fixture despite it now coinciding with the second day of the sport’s May Magic weekend in Edinburgh, which features three Super League games on the Saturday and four on the Sunday.

Professional clubs outside Super League were originally told that they could only play out games around the festival weekend — effectively either the Friday or the Monday — to avoid a clash.

But Roughyeds chief executive Chris Hamilton eventually persuaded the RFL that a Monday fixture in the capital would be too much of a logistical nightmare.

“For most clubs, including us, it is the longest and most difficult journey we have to make and we feel strongly that such an away-day on a Bank Holiday Monday should be avoided at all costs,” said Mr Hamilton, who had an original request to move the game before the start of the season rejected after Skolars brought the issue to the RFL’s attention.

“Happily, the RFL have accepted the case we have put to them and we now have the go-ahead to play on the Sunday.”

Oldham are currently preparing for the visit of FC Lezignan to Boundary Park this Sunday (2pm) in the fourth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup, at which the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Shoab Akhtar, and his wife will be present as guests of the club at their first ever game against French opposition.

Normal admission prices will be charged and usual cup-tie regulations will apply in that it will be a shared gate, all pay.

FC Lezignan, who have won their last eight games, face a tough week. On Thursday night they take on Carcassonne at St Esteve in the semi-final of the French Cup before boarding a plane to Manchester.

o PLACES are available in the hospitality suite on Sunday for a pre-match meal and all the usual extras. Ring Julie Cleave on (0161) 6283677 to book.