Whitmore signs one-year deal

DANNY Whitmore is an apprentice joiner... but in rugby league he has already chiselled out his future with his home-town club.

The 22-year-old hooker will be at Oldham for a third season in 2012 after signing a new one-year deal and vowing to live up to coach Tony Benson’s high expectations of what he can achieve.

“I thought I had a rather shaky season,” said the former Salford City Reds junior. “But I finished on a high with a few good performances and hopefully I’ll carry that on into 2012.”

Whitmore was the youngest of three hookers in the Roughyeds’ senior squad last season, but he more than held his own alongside Martin Roden (31) and John Clough, who celebrated his 27th birthday last week.

After a blip in mid-season when he played a couple of games in the reserves, the former Waterhead youngster regained his senior place and produced far more self-assured performances, picking up two or three man-of-the-match awards.

“He finished the season very strongly,” said Benson. “I’m pleased with his attitude and with the way he has come on in the last two years.

“He was more or less an academy player when he first arrived at the club, but he has made great progress and that is entirely down to him and to his great desire to be the best he can possibly be.

“He is dangerous in attack and tough in defence. He is quick, fit and agile — and he looks after himself to make sure he retains those qualities.”

Whitmore is the ninth player to commit to Roughyeds for 2012 in a list that includes four who are stepping up from the reserves — half-back Jamie Dallimore, prop Danny Langtree, centre Dave Cookson and loose-forward Alex Thompson.

Dallimore is being monitored for a hamstring injury, but all four are included in the squad which is preparing for the reserve team’s biggest-ever challenge against Widnes Vikings in Sunday's grand final at Whitebank (3pm kick off). Usual reserve-team prices apply, £4 adults, £2 concessions.