Joy blow for Oldham

OLDHAM RL will start their 2014 Kingstone Press Championship One campaign in South Wales without player-of-the-year Phil Joy.

Coach Scott Naylor has confirmed prop-forward Joy (22), who has been struggling with a groin injury for several weeks, is still on a programme of intense rehabilitation.

He has no chance of playing against Scorpions in Maesteg on March 2 and he is unlikely to be ready for the first home game against Hemel Stags on March 9.

“I’m told he might be available for selection by the middle of March, but by then he won’t have done a field session with the squad for seven weeks,” said Naylor.

“Before we can think of throwing him in for his first game since last September he’ll need to be cleared to start training with the squad again.

“In Phil’s case it’s hard to be specific about when he'll be ready.”




NEIL Roden’s second testimonial event will take the form of a race night in his home town of Wigan on Friday, March 7.



It will be held in the Legends' Bar at the Body Image Fitness Centre, Unit 1, Swan Lane, Hindley, Wigan WN2 4HD.

Admission to the race night is £5 and Neil is also looking for people to sponsor a horse for £5.