Saddleworth Rangers will play Waterhead Warriors in what promises to be a classic Standard Cup Final at Oldham RU Club’s Manor Park ground at Bardsley on Friday, April 15, kick-off 11.45am.
In an action-packed day for rugby league fans, Oldham RLFC play derby rivals Rochdale Hornets at the Crown Oil Arena with a 3pm kick-off on the same day.
The Oldham Players’ Association, chaired by Mike Elliott and mainly administered by Joe Warburton (secretary), John Watkins and Ray Hicks, will have a presence at both games.
Saddleworth Rangers are in division one of the National Conference, while Waterhead Warriors operate in division three.
Having strengthened their squad this year with the recruitment from Roughyeds of Gareth Owen, Phil Joy and Danny Bridge, Waterhead old boys returning to where it all began, they are fancied to win promotion from div 3.
They have underlined their billing by winning through to the final of the BARLA National Cup.
As a curtain-raiser to the Final, the under-11s from both clubs will go head to head in the Johnny Blair Memorial game, kicking off at 10.30am.
Linda, the late Johnny’s wife, will present the boys with commemorative medals after the game.
Admission to both games will be £5 for adults and £3 for concessions and children.
The Oldham Amateur League will give out free tickets to the under-11s at all member clubs which run youth and junior teams.
Said league secretary Phil Bradbury:
“Former winners of the Ben Powell man-of-the-match trophy in the Final also get free tickets.
“The Final is THE highlight of the local rugby league grassroots scene and, as such, is well supported. This year, with the attendances currently being generated by both the Warriors and the Rangers, we are hoping for, and expect to get, a cracking crowd.”
There may be one fan travelling 12,000 miles to be at the big showdown. Roy Jewitt, twice a winner of the Ben Powell Trophy in the 1990s, is currently hoping to make it from his home in Australia.”
