Drinkwater to depart Roughyeds after two seasons

Josh Drinkwater will bring his two-year spell with Oldham to an end at the conclusion of the current campaign, with the half-back set to take up a new opportunity.

The 34-year-old has enjoyed two successful seasons at the club, helping Oldham to a fourth-place finish last year before playing a key role in this year’s third-place finish – the club’s highest league position in nearly 30 years.

Drinkwater has been a leader both on and off the pitch, regularly producing big plays in big moments.

Last year, he nailed a touchline conversion in swirling winds to rescue a point against Batley, before scoring a hat-trick in a narrow 30-26 away win at Doncaster.

He has continued to deliver this season, notably when he coolly slotted a one-pointer to secure a last-gasp 31-30 win over Sheffield Eagles.

With Sunday likely to be Oldham’s final outing of the year at Boundary Park, Drinkwater will be aiming to go out on a high with a win over Midlands, as well as looking to win the lot.

The Challenge Cup winner has made 56 appearances for the Roughyeds, featuring in all but one of the club’s league games this season and underlining just how important he has been to the side over the past two years.

Roughyeds boss Alan Kilshaw said:

“Josh has been a tremendous player for Oldham.

He has shown his adapability playing in the Championship and his durability, the way he's played week in, week out.

His experience has been invaluable to myself and the coaching staff. It's like having a coach on the field.

I'm sure whatever he does next he'll be a success, and we wish him all the best.
Hopefully, we can send him out as a winner.”

Chairman Terry Flanagan MBE said:

“Josh has given us two great years and we’ve been delighted to have him with us during that time

We wish him all the best for the future.”

Sunday is set to be Josh Drinkwater’s final appearance at Boundary Park, with Oldham taking on Midlands Hurricanes in the Elimination Final. Make sure you’re there to give Drinky the send-off he deserves.