Robinson in cup-clash return

BUSTLING back-row forward Craig Robinson, out for five weeks with a broken nose, is back in a 19-man Roughyeds squad for tonight’s Northern Rail Cup clash with Sheffield Eagles at Sedgley Park (8pm kick-off).

The Yorkshireman was injured in Howard Hill’s testimonial game at Whitehaven on January 20, but he is likely to start his comeback against Mark Aston’s Eagles, probably from the bench.

Young prop Ben Mellor, a substitute last time out at Hunslet, could be the forward to make way for Robinson in the final 17.

Craig Littler is unavailable so Mark Brocklehurst is in line to get his first start on the left wing, with Marcus St Hilaire switching from wing to centre to take up the position previously occupied by Littler.

In the forwards, prop Wayne Kerr looks like getting a rare start and there could also be a positional change in the back three, where Chris Clarke and Ben Heaton are being lined up to swop jobs, Clarke moving to loose and Heaton from loose to second-row.

Lucas Onyango (unwell) was unable to train on Saturday morning. If he is still under the weather this evening, Paul Reilly will step into the right-wing berth.

Sheffield have already qualified for the last eight by drawing 18-18 at Featherstone and beating York City Knights (40-10) and Halifax (13-6) at the Don Valley Stadium.

They are fancied to be pushing for honours in the Co-operative Championship this year and they have certainly made a flying start in the Northern Rail Cup with the help of former Roughyeds pair Ged Corcoran and Matty Brooks.

Oldham (from): O’Connor; Onyango, Reilly, St Hilaire, Fogerty, Brocklehurst, N Roden, Ashe, Boults, M Roden, Whitmore, Kerr, Ellison, Heaton, Murtza, Chandler, Clarke, Mellor, Reilly.



FREE transport to the game for supporters is being provided by Atlantic Executive Travel of Heywood.

Pick-up points are at the Black Horse on Ripponden Road (6.30pm), Mecca Bingo (6.45pm) and The Railway in Royton (7pm).

Anyone wishing to travel must ring the office by 3.30pm to reserve a place and confirm a pick-up point.

Season-ticket holders who wish to sit down tonight will not need to pay the £2 transfer fee, provided they are seated by 7.45pm.




OFFICIALS at Sedgley Park are confident the game will go ahead as planned. Swinton Lions used the ground yesterday and frost covers have since been laid down on the pitch.