Alex’s jaw-dropping display

Alex Thompson

TRY-SCORING hero Alex Thompson played for 70 minutes with a suspected fractured jaw in the Oldham RL reserve team’s grand final victory over Widnes, the club have revealed.

Refusing to leave the field after a clash of heads early in the game, 21-year-old Thompson beat the pain barrier to play a starring role in his side’s Under-23s Championship triumph, capped by a vital try in the 54th minute.

“He displayed courage beyond the call of duty,” said coach John Hough. “The club doctor examined him and thought there was a possible fracture, but he insisted on going back on. That was good enough for me.”

The highly-rated former Warrington Wolves youngster, who will step up to Oldham’s senior squad next season after signing a pro contract, has since been told that he has a hairline fracture which will heal naturally.

“It hurt like hell,” said the talented loose-forward. “But there was no way I was going off in a final.

“I went into a big tackle after about 10 minutes and we clashed heads. Half a tooth went, and then I realised there was something wrong with my cheek.

“Adrenaline kept me going. When I went off to be examined the adrenaline subsided and the pain was awful. I told Houghie to get me on again quickly or it would be too late.

“After that I just tried to keep my face out of the way of tackles. It’s no big drama. I’ll live.

“The season’s over now, so I’ve loads of time for the injury to heal. I’m told it will take five weeks, but I’ve also been left with a black eye and a twitch which could take up to two months before it sorts itself out. That’s something to do with a nerve end.”

He added: “It didn’t stop me celebrating with the rest of the boys. It was a very tough game, and a fantastic win for us. We were the better side. We deserved it.”