Play-off final pain for centre

 PAUL Brearley, Oldham RL reserve team’s 6ft 7in centre, will miss his side’s quest for silverware in the Reserves Championship play-off final at the Whitebank.

He damaged a shoulder in the first half of the qualifier at Widnes, which Oldham won 46-22, and went to hospital with his arm in a sling.

Coach John Hough said: “He has been a regular for weeks. How unlucky can you be?”

Goal-kicking half-back Jamie Dallimore (hamstring) and prop Matty Barber (knee) were also hurt at Widnes.

They will be assessed at regular intervals over the next few days as preparations begin in earnest for a final in which Roughyeds will play the winners of Saturday's Widnes v Leigh clash.

The big game is scheduled to be played over the weekend of September 23, 24 and 25 — at the Whitebank — but Oldham can’t announce specific details until they have had Rugby League approval.

Coach Tony Benson has given supporters a further insight into why he was keen to keep Mark Brocklehust, who has signed a new one-year deal .

“He can play well in several positions on both sides of the field,” he said. “And with such versatility he offers a lot in situations where otherwise we might get caught out.

“It says a lot about him that, despite playing all around the park, he has still finished as top try scorer.”