Dallimore cleared of punching claim

JAMIE Dallimore is free to play for Oldham RL reserves against York City Knights at the Whitebank Stadium on Saturday (2.30pm kick-off), having been cleared of a punching allegation by the RFL disciplinary committee.

The Roughyeds’ up-and-coming half-back from Wigan, an accomplished goalkicker and a BARLA international, was sent off near the end of his side’s defeat at Dewsbury in the Reserves Championship on April 1.

After studying the match DVD, however, the RFL concluded that Dallimore reacted to an opponent’s tackle by pushing, rather than punching, and no charge would be brought against the Oldham player.

“He can play on Saturday now, and that’s great news for both Jamie and the team,” said coach John Hough, who will finalise his line-up at training tonight.

Hough is also expecting clever loose-forward Alex Thompson to be back in contention after missing the last two games because of a thigh injury.

The match has been brought forward one week from Saturday, April 23, this easing the demands on the club over the Easter weekend when Roughyeds have first-team games against Rochdale at home on Good Friday (3pm) and against Whitehaven away on Easter Monday (3pm).

Hooker Austen Barrowclough, who qualifies through his grandfather, will soon be linking up again with the Serbia national squad, for whom he has already played on several occasions.