Oldham’s relief at Kerr ban

OLDHAM chief executive Chris Hamilton admitted relief after Wayne Kerr was handed a one-match ban by the RFL disciplinary committee in Leeds last night.

The Irish prop forward, placed on report for a careless late tackle at Keighley, was also given a £50 fine. He will now miss the Roughyeds’ Carnegie Challenge Cup clash with French club Lézignan at Boundary Park on Sunday.

“It could have been a lot worse,” said Mr Hamilton. “Wayne will miss the cup-tie this Sunday, but he will be available for selection for the derby clash with Rochdale Hornets on Good Friday, so he will not be out of action for long.”

Kerr’s offence was categorised at Grade ‘C’ and the punishment incurred could have extended as far as a four-game suspension.

However, the former London Skolars player will now be back in coach Tony Benson’s plans for the next Co-operative Championship One game at Spotland, after the panel had examined the evidence and taken into account his previous good record.

Oldham’s league game at London Skolars, meanwhile, has been rescheduled for the second time in 24 hours and will now be played on Saturday, May 2 (3pm kick off).

It was originally down to be played on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4, but it was then rearranged for Sunday, May 3, because of the potential hazards Oldham would have faced in travelling to north London and back on a bank holiday.

It was only after the new arrangements had been made that it emerged from the London end that their New River Stadium will not be available on the Sunday.

“We were not happy about that because we had confirmed everything with London before we went to the RFL to request, and get, permission to play on the Sunday,” added Mr Hamilton.

“As far as we were concerned, Monday was still out of the question so we are now playing on Saturday and that is confirmed with all parties, including the stadium.”