Depleted RU face test

OLDHAM RUFC have major problems as they prepare for tomorrow’s visit of Keswick in North Lancs/Cumbria division.

The Manor Park side, without a win in the opening three league matches, must try to break their duck without nine regulars.

Tony Bergin, Peter Scrivens, James Wilkinson, Phil Eddleston and Paul Wardle are injured while player-coach Steve Molloy, Rob Burston, Adam Waterhouse and Steve Connolly are unavailable.

Back in the squad are Chris Heptonstall, Ian White, Joe Hesse and Dean McEwan.

Newly-promoted Keswick have collected only three points from their first four league matches which makes it a must-win game for the local side.

1st XV (Keswick, home, meet club 1.30pm): Jordan Green, Kenney, Ward, Langley, Mellor, Goodman, Barber, White, D McEwan, Heptonstall, Taylor, Vatikionis, Fryer, Brogan, Hesse, Cooper, Taylor.

‘A ’XV (Heaton Moor, home, meet club 1.30pm): Simpson, Bearpark, Newton, Graham, J McEwan, P Waterhouse, Froggatt, Massey, Collins, L Jones, Wardle, Savage, Howard, Wood, Collinge, Burgess, Roberts, Knight, J Watson.

Extra ‘A’ (Aldwinians, away, meet club 1.30pm): Douthwaite, Fitton, McNicholls, P Watson, Barrett, Heginbottom, Walmsley, Martin, W Jones, Herbertson, Edwards, Richards, Hushion, Reynolds, Steadman, Suiter.

Vets (Rochdale fourths, home, meet club 2pm): Belcher, Bernard, Billing, Blogg, Brierley, Bradbury, Brown, Dearden, Crimes, Forsyth, Hall, Hodkinson, A Jones, Luke, McDowell, Moran, Mullholland, Pierre, Shaw, Royston, Thackwell, Trickey.

Colts (Widnes, home Sunday, meet club 12.30pm): Ashcroft, Birch, Brennan, Denbigh, Clifford, Collinge, Davey, Froggatt, Goodman, Heginbottom, Holt, Massey, May, J McEwan, J Peacock, Piekos, C Roscoe, L Roscoe, Ward, Wan, McKenna.