Roughyeds in bid to beat the freeze

OLDHAM will borrow pitch covers from the Rugby Football League in a determined attempt to stage the Law Cup with Rochdale Hornets at Whitebank on Sunday, January 2.

The covers are currently protecting Batley’s Mount Pleasant pitch ahead of their Boxing Day clash with Dewsbury Rams, but they will be transported to Oldham early next week.

“We’ll still be relying on a thaw,” said Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton. “But if it comes, the covers will go down as soon as the frost is out of the ground.

“Fans can rest assured that we will be doing everything possible to get the game on.”

Whitebank is frozen under a layer of snow, but club officials are banking on a rise in temperatures next week in line with weather forecasts.

A shared gate means that both clubs are keen to beat the freeze in order to pull in much-needed revenue on a weekend when rugby league fans traditionally turn out in numbers.

Most Law Cup games in recent years have been staged at Spotland and, given the hope for warmer weather next week, Roughyeds intend to pull out all the stops so they can stage their first pre-season derby on their own ground since the new club was formed in 1997.

Hamilton added: “It would be a great way to launch our 2011 campaign, on a holiday weekend, and with several new players on view.”

There will be no provision for season-ticket holders. Admission prices are £10 adults, £8 over-65s and £4 under-16s. Seats are available for an additional £2.