Injury jolt for Oldham

THE injury jinx that has struck down Oldham RL Club’s front-row forwards in recent weeks claimed another victim when Luke Stenchion was ruled out of yesterday’s game against Workington Town.

He has been battling to beat a back problem for the past fortnight, but it finally got the better of him when he failed a fitness test and was forced to pull out of the side.

Andy Isherwood, who usually plays in the second-row, went straight in at prop, while the only specialist prop on the bench was Luke Sutton, who is available for only one more game before he emigrates to Australia.

Michael Ward, another back-rower and a product of the reserves squad, was used off the bench as a replacement prop in the absence of the injured Dave Ellison, Bruce Johnson and Chris Clarke.

Roughyeds don’t have a first-team game now for two weeks — they go to Rochdale on Sunday, August 14 — and they are hoping Stenchion will be fit by then.

The bonus point they earned in yesterday’s 24-22 defeat — their third two-point loss of the campaign — has virtually sealed their place in the play-offs although it is looking increasingly likely that they will have to challenge for the Grand Final from seventh place.

With three to play — Rochdale away, South Wales at home and Workington away — they are now four points behind Rochdale and Whitehaven and seven behind Doncaster, Workington and Keighley.

Oldham’s Extended Scholarship squad for under-18s plays their third game at Keighley tonight (8pm kick off).