Trophy test for RU men

OLDHAM RUFC kick off the new campaign with a cup clash as they play hosts to Burnage tomorrow in the first round of the Lancashire Trophy (2pm).

And it will be a tough start as over half of their regular team will be missing, including player-coach Steve Molloy.

The other absentees are Dave Kenney, Joe Hesse, Phil Eddleston, Michael Ward, Chris Heptonstall, Adam Waterhouse and Adam Langley.

Paddy Farnan and Paul Shearing, two other stalwarts, have retired leaving Oldham even more stretched.

Captain Gareth Barber will lead an inexperienced side in Molloy’s absence, with the 20-strong squad including seven players who until recently were members of the colts side.

Burnage, who have former Oldham coach Kevin Williams in charge, play at an equivalent level in South Lancs/Cheshire League.

They finished runners-up in their league, but missed out on promotion after losing in the play-offs.

1st XV (Burnage, home, meet club noon): Scrivens, Barber, Denbigh, Wilkinson, Roscoe, Mellor, Fitton, Collinge, Goodman, Holt, Green, Lamb, Vatikotis, Brogan, Fryer, Cooper, Bergin, M Green, Knight, Aylett.