Bright spark handed deal

WHO said rugby prop forwards were all brawn and no brain?

Liam Gilchrist, Oldham's young front-row man, has graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a degree in contemporary fine art and he is now studying for a Masters at Salford University.

He has also signed a new one-year contract with the Roughyeds to spend a second season under the sporting tutelage of Tony Benson.

"He's a bright lad," said Oldham's head coach. "And in terms of his rugby. he has an old head on young shoulders.

"He came on in leaps and bounds last season and I am delighted he is staying because he undoubtedly has huge potential.

"He's a strong defender, with a good pass. And he's good on his feet when he hits the line.

"He's a big forward now, but he's still young for a front-rower and he's going to mature into an exceptionally good prop because he has the necessary qualities – size, nous, a desire to improve himself and a great work ethic."

Standing 6ft2in and weighing nearly 17 stone, 22-year-old Gilchrist is looking forward to a 2012 season which, unlike his first year at the club, won’t be disrupted by his Great Britain Students’ commitments.

At the height of the season he was a member of the GB Students' squad which caused a stir by beating Australia in a three-match series Down Under for the first time.

Gilchrist said: “That was a fantastic experience and I was proud to be part of it. But by going off to Australia for a few weeks it meant I had a stop-start season at Oldham.

“I missed a couple of games through injury just before I went and three more while I was away. Then I was at the back of the queue on my return, and I didn't get in right away because the other props were playing so well.

“Oldham fans haven't seen the best of me yet. I'm still learning, but I feel I have more to give.”

Meanwhile, it’s not too late for fans to ring the Roughyeds office on (0161) 628 3677 to confirm their attendance at tomorrow night’s fans’ forum at the Whitebank (7.30pm).

The cost is £4, which includes supper and entry to a draw for a 2012 season ticket.

Tickets for the reserve team’s presentation night, £5 including hot supper, will be on sale behind the bar at Whitebank on Sunday when John Hough’s boys take on Widnes Vikings (3pm) in the grand final of the Reserves Under-23s Championship.

The Junction Inn, Ripponden Road, is laying on free transport to the Whitebank on Sunday for fans from that side of town, leaving at 2pm. Ring the pub on (0161) 633 2759 to reserve a place.