Kinney agrees to Roughyeds deal

JACOB Kinney is the latest young talent to be snapped up on a professional contract by Oldham Roughyeds.

The 20-year-old prop forward, who goes by the nickname of ‘Tank’, hails from Leigh and grew up playing his rugby at the Miners Rangers club in the town.

Kinney toured Australia with BARLA Great Britain under-18s and his performances for the reserves last season were of sufficient quality for him to be given a two-year deal.

“He is still a baby as far as prop forwards go,” said Roughyeds owner-chairman Chris Hamilton.

“But he is working hard to get to the level he needs to be at for a first-team squad spot in one of the most difficult and specialised positions in rugby league.

“His desire and enthusiasm are first-class, as shown by the fact that he was travelling in from Leigh all last season to play for us.

“He has plenty of promise and potential and we are hopeful we can help develop that over the next couple of years.”

Kinney joins up with Michael Ward and Austen Barrowclough as new first-year professionals.

Oldham take on Hornets RL in the Law Cup on Sunday at Spotland (3pm kick-off), bidding to reverse a trend which has seen the club defeated on its last three occasions when contesting the trophy.

The game will be the first Law Cup clash since the 2007 season.