Palfrey gets his wish

CLUB captain Lewis Palfrey is among half a dozen first-team squad members who will play for Oldham RL Club’s under-20s against Featherstone Rovers at Whitebank tomorrow.

Phil Joy, Mark Hobson, Alex Davidson, Steven Nield and George Tyson will also turn out for the Roughyeds’ second team in a game which kicks off at 2.30pm.

Taking advantage of a blank weekend for the senior side, coach Scott Naylor wants first-team forwards Joy, Hobson and Davidson to sharpen their match fitness with more game time.

Stand-off Palfrey, still looking for the form that made him an inspirational leader last year, asked for a run-out tomorrow and Naylor was happy to oblige.

The Roughyeds coach said: “Lewis (Palfrey) missed four or five weeks of pre-season training, plus the friendly games, because of injury and then we brought him back gradually when the season started in earnest.

“He hasn’t had a lot of rugby so far. He asked to play in this one because he feels he will benefit from it in terms of his match fitness and his general play.”

Featherstone will also field a strong side, both clubs having agreed to use up to six over-age players.

Oldham: Singleton; Dempsey, Nield, Bickerstaff, Whitfield; Palfrey, Flanagan; Joy, Ball, Davidson, Tyson, Partington, Hobson. Subs: Sargent, B Roden, Boardman, Haney.

Fans wishing to book on club transport to the fourth round Tetley’s Challenge Cup tie at Bradford on Sunday week can do so at the under-20s game tomorrow. Cost is £12, payment by cash or cheque.