Joy double in Cumbria

Oldham defeated as injuries prove costly

RICHARD Joy celebrated his signing on professional forms by scoring two tries in the Oldham RL under-20s’ 40-26 defeat by the Cumbrian Regional Academy in Barrow.

He was due to play in his favourite prop position, but when Paddy Fitzsimmons was ruled out with an elbow injury he was switched to loose-forward.

Jake Boardman took over in the front-row, leaving only three players on the bench —- Tom Flanagan, Liam Sargeant and Luke Barratt.

Worse was to follow for coach Neil Roden, who lost debut-making winger Luke Kavanagh with a pulled hamstring after five minutes and Boardman with a shoulder injury early in the second half.

Roughyeds led 22-12 at half-time, but with only 14 fit men for the last half-hour they were severely restricted in the use of substitutes.

Hooker Andy Ball also scored two tries and centre Connor Partington added another, while

17-year-old half-back Tom Dempsey landed three goals.

Full-back Sam Singleton, who was moved up to loose-forward for a spell in the second half when the injuries began to bite, also put in a useful performance.