Barber blow for RU men

OLDHAM RUFC will be without inspirational captain and stand-off Gareth Barber as they bid to beat Fleetwood at Manor Park and secure their first double of the season in North Lancs/Cumbria division.

Barber, who is unavailable, misses his first game of the season while scrum-half Peter Scrivens, his usual half-back partner, is also absent as will be pack pair Steve Molloy and Paddy Farnan.

But back in the squad to help compensate for the absentees are Michael Ward, James Wilkinson, Ziggy Vatikions and Ian White.

Youngster Mark Goodman looks favourite to replace Barber at stand-off with veteran Ian White winning a recall at scrum half.

Oldham still have plenty of experience in the pack as they look for a win to remain clear of the relegation places.

This will be the third attempt to play this league fixture which has been twice postponed previously through bad weather.

1st XV (Fleetwood, home, meet club 1pm for 2.15pm kick off): Goodman, L Roscoe, Gorey, Ward, Mellor, Wilkinson, White, Heptonstall, J Taylor, Wardle, Vatikions, Hesse, Fryer, Bergin, A Waterhouse, J McEwan, Pickles.

‘A’XV (Didsbury Toc H, away, meet club 12.30pm for 2.30pm kick off): Langley, Collinge, Simpson, Graham, C Jones, Lamb, Collins, J Green, N Taylor, L Jones, Burgess, Jakeman, Howard, McKenzie, M Green, Edwards, Crossley, J Watson, Renshaw, Pierre.

Extra ‘A’ (Bury thirds, home, meet club 1.15pm for 2.30pm kick off): Beswick, Barrington, Martin, Watson, Walmsley, Barrett, Mitchell, Froggatt, Flynn, Thackwell, D McEwan, Kennedy, Nixon, K Lowther, J Lowther, S Heginbottom.

Vets (Pendle seconds, away, meet club 12.30pm for 2.30pm kick off): Aylett, Blogg, Brierley, Faulkner, Foster, Forsyth, Hodkinson, Horsfall, Hushion, A Jones, R Jones, Lockett, Luke, Mulder, Mullholland, Selby, Trickey.