Hough and Casey pull on their boots

ROUGHYEDS reserve team coaches John Hough and Leo Casey are to form part of an Oldham Rugby League Club side which will take place in the Jimmy Russell Masters Tournament at the Oldham St Anne's club on Sunday.

Set to appear alongside Hough and Casey in that side are ex-team-mates Keith Brennan, Steve Molloy, Phil Farrell and others, possibly including former Oldham Bears men like Barrie McDermott.

The event, a joint Masters tournament and benefit concert, is being held in memory of the late Jimmy Russell, the former Saddleworth and Huddersfield centre who spent most of his life heavily involved in local amateur rugby league and especially in youth rugby.

The organisers have stressed that all money raised by the event will be ploughed into the further development of youth rugby in the Oldham area, a project that was always close to Jimmy's heart.

His popularity was shown at his funeral a few weeks ago when hundreds packed into Oldham Parish Church.

Other teams taking part include St Anne's, Waterhead, Saddleworth Rangers, Brighouse, Fitton Hill and a Jimmy Russell Select XIII.

The event will start shortly before 1.00pm, with a minute's silence in memory of Jimmy. Each team will then play each other at half-hourly intervals, culminating in an all-star Roses clash made up of former professionals from both sides of the Pennines.

As well as the rugby there will be fun things for children, raffles, auctions and evening entertainment in the St Anne's clubhouse. Details from Phil Russell on 07949 145499.