Law Cup clash set to return with a bang!

Date published: 26 January 2023


This Sunday sees the return of the annual Law Cup pre-season clash between Oldham and Rochdale Hornets.

In the 70th instalment of the fixture, Roughyeds will be looking to build on their defeat last weekend against Widnes Vikings.

The Cup has not been contested since 2020 for various reasons, and it is set to return with a bang at the Vestacare Stadium, with Oldham looking to wrestle back the silverware.

Rochdale Hornets are current holders of the trophy having won 18-12 last time.

It will be the first meeting of the two sides since last September when they met in the play-offs.

Callum Cameron and Emmerson Whittel were handed long-term bans in the 38-24 defeat - which they are still serving - and head coach Stuart Littler is hoping his boys control their discipline this time round.

Said Littler: “As much as we’ll be trying our best to win, we know we’ve got to be disciplined in our approach - not just to this game - to every game.

“It’s too short a season to be getting people banned; we’ve already got a couple banned and we definitely don’t need any more.”

Oldham faced Rochdale three times last year and lost all of them, so Littler is hoping his men can rectify that.

“Last year Rochdale were a formidable team, so we’ve got to be on our mettle,” he said.

“It’s a local derby and there’s a bit of silverware at stake, as well as bragging rights going into the season.

“We’re putting our best foot forward, showing what we are about and trying to put a marker down within the league.”

Originally the Infirmaries Cup, The Law Cup dates back to 1921 and is named after Rochdale MP A J Law who put on the game in order to raise money for hospitals in the two towns.

There have been 69 meetings since, with Oldham winning 46 to Rochdale’s 21.

Season ticket holders will receive a free ticket to the game to replace the missing West Wales home game.

Shortly before Christmas, West Wales Raiders pulled out of the league leaving fans with nine home games rather than the ten they purchased.

Pay on the day is available for those without season tickets and admission prices are as follows: £16 for adults, £5 for students and FREE for under 16s.

Alternatively, fans can purchase them on the club's ticketing page here


Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.