Big test awaits youthful RL side

OLDHAM Rugby League Club’s youngsters will concede weight, strength and experience when they take on York City Knights at Whitebank tonight (8pm kick off).

Roughyeds have raised no objection to York’s plan to field up to six over-age players in this under-20s pre-season friendly, but the host club will be fielding only players who meet the age-related criteria.

Said coach Phil Costin: “In the main I’ve picked those who have been

training with us since day one. They are all at the younger end of the age scale.”

Of the 20 Oldham players on duty tonight, nine are new signings – Mike Halsall, formerly of Swinton amateur side Folly Lane; Phil Pickerstaff, here on trial from Edge Hill College on Merseyside; Reece Whitfield (Wigan Warriors); Brad Hargreaves (Leigh Centurions); Cameron Davies (Warrington Wolves), Jack Morgan (Warrington Wolves), Will Maudsley (Crosfields), Danny Rasool (Crosfields) and Hummad Itaf (St Anne’s).

Itaf is one of four Oldhamers, alongside Nick Ryan (St Anne’s), Patrick Fitzsimons (Saddleworth) and Richard Ward (Waterhead).