Supporting role is fine for Holroyd

VETERAN stand-off Graham Holroyd will take a back seat at Oldham RL following Neil Roden's return to fitness.

Holroyd (36), the former Leeds and Halifax star, was playing rugby union for Preston Grasshoppers when Roughyeds signed him in April to fill in for their injured captain and midfield general.

As the casualty list grew, Holroyd increasingly found himself at the rudder of a struggling side that had lost most of its experienced campaigners.

Coach Tony Benson confirmed today that Holroyd would not figure in Sunday's crucial derby against Rochdale Hornets at Whitebank.

He said: "We signed Graham on a short-term agreement until Neil Roden was fit again. That was always the case.”

Prop David Tootill's immediate future is also in the balance. His month's loan from Hunslet has expired, but Oldham remain in contact with Hawks boss Barry Eaton about him.

Reserve-team centre Ben Hinsley, sin-binned for fighting in the home win against Halifax on June 9, has been banned for two matches after submitting an early guilty plea to the RFL disciplinary committee. Centre Matthew Fogarty is out of tonight's fixture with a hand injury.



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