No-show Cobras set to learn fate

LYNDHURST Primary School won the Counthill cluster schools tag rugby competition organised by Garry Hepworth after enjoying six weeks of training with Sports Development officer Danny Knight. Team captain Aiden Schofield (foreground) is pictured with left to right: Jade Winterbottom, Kane Fitton, Joshua Tindall, Brandon Heyes, Harry McCormick and Ellis Robinson.

ROCHDALE Cobras are awaiting the verdict of the Oldham Amateur Rugby League committee on their punishment for failing to fulfil a Standard Cup semi-final tie.

A meeting of the Oldham ARL was held on Monday and a decision was made, but the action taken — likely to be a fine and a possible suspension from next year’s competition — is not being made public until the club has been informed by letter.

The Cobras held their own meeting on the same night and one of the items on the agenda was the departure of coach Sid Miller in the aftermath of the cancellation of the tie at Waterhead on Saturday, December 20.

In a statement sent to the Chronicle, the newly-formed club said:

“Rochdale Cobras are deeply saddened and embarrassed about not being able to turn out a team for this trophy. We have no excuses, only that we have been let down very badly by our players.

“We understand numerous players were on Christmas parties and work commitments, with this we were not able to get a team to play on the day.

“We hope this does not reflect upon Rochdale Cobras for next year’s competition. We will rectify the matter in-house with our young team, encouraging respect for this and all competitions.

“We did not know Sid had resigned until we came across it in the paper. We understand his reasons, however we are disappointed to lose him and we would like to wish him every success in the future.”

The Cobras hope to have a new coach in place shortly.

Meanwhile, suggested dates for the other yet-to-be-played semi-final have been issued to Oldham St Anne’s and Saddleworth Rangers and it is now down to the clubs to arrange the game, which is down to be played at Higginshaw Road.

BARLA vice-chairman Jack Strother has resigned his position, citing difficulties at the organisation’s headquarters and the furore over the muddled ban on ‘blades’ boots.

In a letter issued to all amateur leagues, the well-respected Strother attacked a perceived “bunker mentality” within the organisation, which he claims isn’t able to provide the level of service required by its members, and pointed at the boots issue as proof of “disarray” at BARLA.

Last month BARLA declared a ban on the ‘blades’ style of footwear on its website, only to later rescind that decision following legal advice, leaving many players and parents in a quandary.




Pennine League



A LACK-LUSTRE first-half performance cost Hollinwood dear, as the team started the New Year with a 66-10 thumping away at Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks in division four.



The damage was done in an opening period in which the home team racked up a half-century of unanswered points.

A half-time roasting from the coach saw Holinwood emerge in determined mood.

Man-of-the-match Alistair Williams was first on the score sheet for the visitors, leaving two would-be tacklers flat on their backs in the process. Paul Brooks, in his first game back after an absence of several weeks, converted.

With Pete Jackson and Alan Dalton leading the way in the forwards, next on the board was Rob Penswick as Hollinwood regained pride and began to make the home side look ordinary.

Williams aside, Ian Hunt and Brooks were the visitors’ top performers on the day.




WINNERS of the ‘Gillette Rugby League Yearbook’ competition are Mrs M Morgan, of Oldham, Andrew Johnson, from Failsworth, and Mr R Grabowski, of Oldham.



They correctly answered that New Zealand won the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.