24/07/2024
WHO said our district was brimming over with talent? Was it Sean Long, Mike Ford or their Pathway pioneer Joe Warburton?
They've all said it at one time or another – and the under-16s showed why the Oldham RLFC big guns speak so highly of local lads by winning 36-4 against Halifax at Siddal, scoring nine tries in the bargain.
St Anne's centre Eugene Tinubu scored a hat-trick and other try scorers were Sam Johnson (2), Jake Johnson, Ollie Chamberlain, Layton Quarmby and Oliver Atkinson.
"We won stylishly with the pack establishing authority up front and the backs doing the rest," said Warburton.
Joe, the Oldham RLFC co-ordinator, is looking to set up under 17s/18s for next year and is hoping to organise a curtain-raiser to an Oldham game before the end of this season .
He invites 11s and 12s to the next training session at Melrose this Saturday, still to be confirmed, To find out, ring Joe on 07882848340 or email him to joewarby9@aol.com (current squad members don't need to apply).
Congratulations to Keighley Albion, who beat Saddleworth under-12s 18-16 in a curtain-raiser to the Oldham-Keighley cracker at BP last Sunday. The boys of both teams formed a guard of honour as Oldham and Keighley walked on to the field, writes ROGER HALSTEAD.
Congratulations from all at Oldham, too, to the under-16s of St Anne's, who recently had a successful tour to the Catalan region of France which included a game against the Dragons' under 16s/17s at the famous Stade Gilbert Brutus. Owned by the local authority, the ground is normally used only by the Dragons first team, but special permission was received for the St Anne's boys to play there as a special tribute to Steve Deakin, who was once on their coaching staff.
Sean Long and Joe Wardle coached local amateur coaches last Saturday, covering tackling, defending at play-the-ball and the roles of A, B and C defenders. Coaches will again have the benefit of Long and Wardle’s knowledge and experience when the Roughyeds pair take them again for a session on attack between 9.30 and 10.30am at Melrose this coming Saturday. All coaches welcome. Just turn up.
Back to the under-16s at Halifax and Joe points out that a squad of 23 boys went to Siddal, captained by Travis Snape of St Anne’s, who had by far the biggest club representation.
He added:
“Special thanks go to coach Stephen Leyland and his helper, Tommy Leyland, and to our kit sponsors, County End Electrical."
Once again, Oldham RLFC is doing all it can, through Warby and the local clubs, to make the RFL’s Pathway Programme a real goer in this area.