Leigh test for Roughyeds

fresh faces: Oldham RL signings Ben Wood (left), Danny Whitmore, Brett Robinson and Paddy Mooney are new players for 2014. PICTURE by DARREN ROBINSON

OLDHAM RL Club’s programme of pre-season games will conclude with a visit by Leigh Centurions to Whitebank on February 15.

Each of the Roughyeds’ three warm-up matches will be against Championship opposition from the higher division: Barrow Raiders away and Swinton Lions and Leigh, both at home.

Dates: February 2, Barrow v Oldham at Craven Park (2pm); February 9, Oldham v Swinton at Whitebank (3pm), and February 15, Oldham v Leigh at Whitebank (2.30 pm).

As there is no Northern Rail Cup competition this year, the season proper for Championship One clubs will start on March 2, when Scott Naylor’s men face the long trek to Neath to play South Wales Scorpions.

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton said: “The Leigh game will put the finishing touches to a pre-season programme that will test our boys in every sense. Leigh has been one of the strongest clubs in the Championship over the last few years, always with a big squad.”