Oldham four in hot water

John Clough

FOUR Oldham players face RFL disciplinary charges following the rough-house derby clash at Rochdale.

Danny Whitmore, Martin Roden and Jamie Dallimore are in hot water for throwing punches in a 59th-minute fight.

Hooker John Clough could be banned for up to EIGHT matches if he is found guilty of pushing Rochdale’s Adam Bowman into the perimeter wall in the dying seconds of an acrimonious battle, which Hornets won 18-10.

Only one Rochdale player, Bowman, has been charged for his part in the second-half bust-up in the derby.

To rub salt into Roughyeds’ wounds, they now have four players on charges to Rochdale’s one.

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton: “It’s the first time we've had four players charged in one game. That’s not good. But anyone who was there will know what I mean when I say it takes two to tango.”

Roden and Dallimore face low-grade charges which may not result in penalty; Whitmore is on a more serious charge that could result in a two or three match suspension.

The club’s main concern is for Clough, whose grade ‘E’ charge carries a recommended ban of four to eight matches.

None of this will affect the make-up of the side in Sunday’s fourth-round Carnegie Challenge Cup tie against Barrow Raiders at Whitebank (3pm kick off).



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