OLDHAM’S search for more front-row strength and experience has produced the seventh new signing of the close season in ‘The Judge’ from Cougar Park, Scott Law.
They don’t come much more experienced than 33-year-old Law, who has played more than 200 games for Keighley in his nine years there and previously played for Halifax.
It was while he was at Halifax as a young prop that he had a brief spell at Rochdale on loan.
He then went back to the amateur game for a season with top NCL side Siddall before embarking on his near decade-long association with the Cougars — a partnership that has ended as a direct result of the strive that currently engulfs the Keighley club.
Only last season he was named the Cougars’ Player of the Year.
He follows another experienced campaigner, Richie Hawkyard, from Cougar Park to the Vestacare Stadium as Roughyeds continue to build a squad, designed on the right mix of youth and know-how, which will hopefully be pushing for promotion to the Championship.
Law comes with the strong endorsement of Hawkyard, with whom he cleaned up the trophies at the Cougars’ recent Awards Night.
While ‘the Judge’ won Player of the Year, ‘Titch’ Hawkyard walked off with Man of Steel, players’ player and supporters’ top player.
Said Law:
“I think ‘Titch’ must have had something to do with it.
“Chris (Hamilton) phoned me, said Oldham were looking for a prop and then sold the club to me really well. I was waiting to see if things would get any better at Keighley, but when they didn’t I decided, like ‘Titch’, that it was time to go.
“Having been at Keighley for so many years, it will be a bit daunting at first to go to a new club, but it’s a massive new challenge and I’m up for it big style.
“I’m really looking forward to getting over there and getting cracking.”
Law, who has signed a one-year deal, lives in Halifax, as do Zack McComb, Jamie Greenwood and Anthony Bowman.
Said coach Scott Naylor:
“We’ve lost a few forwards, among them Adam Neal, Danny Langtree, Craig Briscoe, Adam Jones, so it was important we brought in replacements.
“Ben Calland was the first and now comes Scott Law, who is a prop of vast experience, having been at Keighley for nearly ten years.
“He’ll bring a lot to us in the way of experience in the front-row, both on the field and in showing the younger lads a thing or two.
“I’m sure he’ll fit in really well. We needed another prop and he’ll bring a lot to the squad.”
Roughyeds currently have 20 players on contract.
Backs: Dave Hewitt, Danny Grimshaw, Paul Crook, Richie Hawkyard, Aaron Jones-Bishop, Anthony Bowman, Jack Holmes, Zack McComb, Kyran Johnson.
Forwards: Luke Nelmes, Jack Spencer, Liam Bent, Ben Calland, Matty Wilkinson, Ben Davies, Gareth Owen, Phil Joy, Jamie Greenwood, Danny Bridge, Scott Law.
As befits our geographical situation close to the Lancashire-Yorkshire border the squad comprises of 11 Lancastrians and nine Yorkshiremen.
ORSA
ON a day when ORSA have announced that their next Quiz Night on Thursday, November 29 will have a Christmas theme it is relevant to say that season tickets will make excellent Christmas presents for Roughyeds supporters.
