Roughyeds in no-go at Whitebank

WINTER WOES: Chairman Chris Hamilton surveys the scene from a frost-bitten Whitebank pitch.

OLDHAM RL Club were left to rue yet another postponement yesterday when their Northern Rail Cup clash with Featherstone Rovers at Whitebank fell victim to the winter snap.

A pitch inspection five-and-a-half hours before the scheduled 3pm kick-off time determined the frozen playing surface was not fit for action. The game has been rearranged for Wednesday (8pm kick-off).

It was the latest blow to Roughyeds' preparations for their biggest priority — a promotion push from Co-operative Championship One — having already seen the Law Cup postponed three times and then cancelled, and a friendly at Featherstone called off. A reserves fixture away to Featherstone also came a cropper on Friday.

Neil Roden, Paul Noone and Lucas Onyango, who are yet to play this term, were once again left kicking their heels, as was new signing Paul Ballard, who was meant to make his debut.

Instead of having five first team games under their belt, Oldham have played just twice, gaining a draw at Whitehaven in the SEAT Trophy and a home victory at the expense of a young side from Super League team St Helens.

Chairman Chris Hamilton said: “The postponements have been a major problem for us so far, although we are not alone in that respect.

“At the weekend, only three or four Northern Rail Cup matches actually survived the weather.

“It was not even touch-and-go by yesterday morning.

“We did hope to get the match on because it got a bit warmer, but walking onto the pitch on the morning of the game I didn't even get past the 10-metre line before realising it definitely couldn't happen.

“Obviously, we are keen to avoid a fixture backlog and hopefully the weather picks up.

“The temperatures are due to be higher this week so fingers crossed we should be alright for Wednesday.

“It has been a frustrating time but a lot of clubs are in the same boat at the moment.

“The one consolation is, unlike the other postponements, we have rescheduled it for just a few days down the line.

“If the forecasts are correct, we have a good chance of getting the fixture on.”




THE RFL have confirmed that Oldham are gunning for one of four automatic promotion places this season. Championship One clubs have voted unanimously in favour of a system in which the top four sides at the end of the campaign will move into the Championship, forming an expanded 14-team division in 2013.



To determine the overall winners of the division, a top-six play-off takes place at the end of the season with the victors of the Grand Final deemed champions.

Four brand new clubs from expansion areas will join Championship One in 2013, with Northampton the first to be confirmed last month.