New date for Law Cup clash

OLDHAM Roughyeds will try again to finally play the Law Cup game against Hornets RL on Wednesday night.

The match, postponed for a third time yesterday due to the Spotland surface being waterlogged, will kick-off at 7.30pm.

Rival coaches Tony Benson and John Stankevitch are both keen to give their respective squads more pre-season practice, even though the new date means they will be in action only four days before opening matches in the Northern Rail Cup — Oldham at Leigh Centurions and Hornets against York City Knights.

Hornets have explained to supporters that the pitch problem was caused by waterlogging in one corner of the ground which ground staff are now digging up to lay drainage strips.

Stankevitch, who has so far seen his new-look squad in action only once against Hunslet, was keen to rearrange the Law Cup clash for midweek.

Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton, whose side have lost two warm-up matches so far — 54-16 at Batley and 40-20 at Whitehaven — said Oldham’s viewpoint was exactly the same.

“Like all clubs, our preparations have not gone according to plan because the players have been forced indoors on training nights because of the snow and frost,” said Hamilton.

“We have had very little opportunity to train outdoors, do ball work, team drills, full-on tackling and things like that. We have had the two games but some players haven’t turned out in either of them and have still to get their first taste of serious action since last season.

“Tony (Benson) is of exactly the same opinion as John Stankevitch on this. They believe the benefits of playing on Wednesday will outweigh the drawbacks. It isn’t ideal playing four days before the start of the Northern Rail Cup, but they think there is more to be gained than lost.

“Another factor is the financial angle. At this time of year all clubs are finding it tough going because they have had no real cash flow for several months during the close season, and games like the Law Cup do bring in some revenue.”

Gate receipts are split between the two clubs. Admission is £10 adults and £5 concessions.