I 1 ?

either of the two sides or the referee. The

number of head shots that were missed

or ignored by the officials would have flattened Mike Tyson.

The game was avery tense affair and it was soon obvious that home advantage was going to be amajor factor in the final outcome. This indeed proved to be the message case, with Batley Bulldogs clocking up a 28-12 victory.

from Today's match is very important for both sides, two very important league points Kevin and acommanding position in the league.

Tamati Our players have had agood break and are looking forward to today's encounter. Welcome once again to Lightfoot Green the home of Preston Grasshoppers Rugby On the injury front, John Donno and Joe Union club. Many thanks to all at Walsh both casualties from our last match Grasshoppers for once again allowing us against Barrow are on-the mend. John the use of this tremendous facility. suffered severe whip-lash and is back in training. Joe suffered damage to the right Itravelled across to Mount Pleasant on ankle and calf. He will be out for further Sunday to watch the final of the Pennine f o u r w e e k s . Cup, played between Oldham and Batley. It was aphysical encounter, both sides Steve Taylor is making steady progress intent on causing as much pain on the with his knee injury but only time will tell opposition as they possibly could. how long he will be out for. Hopefully he w i l l b e b a c k t h i s s e a s o n . it was very clear to me that the memo I received from the RFL with regards to Enjoy the game. head tackles had not been received by

L A N C A S H I R E L Y N X R U G B Y LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB

Directors Manager F i r s t T e a m C o a c h Ticket Office & Conference and !Jeff Mallinson *Kevin Tamati *Steve Hampson Bookings: Banqueting: (Chairman) (01772) 902000 (01772) 902010 * P e t e r C h u r c h Club Secretary A c a d e m y Te a m * M i c k W e a r m o u t h Coach Club Shop: Sponsorship, *Tony Scholes * D e n n i s R a m s d a l e (01772)902040 Marketing & *Bryan Gray Asst. Club Advertising: *Henry (Vlorris Secretary Programme Reception: (01772) 902001 !Allan Livesey *Pat Elliott !John Booth (01772) 902020

/ E IN Cans

Take Home The Northern Smoothie

Now Avail message from Peter Church

Iwould like to welcome all supporters to player following his transfer this week Lightfoot Lane for the 3rd and final time from Warriors. The capture of Doc this year. For our remaining home fixtures Murray is arecord breaking signing for this season, against Bramley, Workington Lynx, and again'is afurther and Batley, we will be returning to indication of our commitment towards

Deepdale. attaining status at Deepdale, Doc has been impressive Whilst we are disappointed that today's during his loan period from Wigan, and his game could not be accommodated at experience at the highest level should Deepdale, owing to aPreston North End prove asignificant factor as the squad pre-season friendly against Celtic, we are further develops over the next 18 months. delighted to return to the home of Preston Grasshoppers, where there is The first challenge for Doc and the players always aspecial atmosphere. On behalf is acrucial encounter with astrong of the directors and supporters of Oldham team this afternoon. It is highly Lancashire Lynx, Iwould like to take this opportunity to express our sincere probable that our remaining 2games gratitude for the warm hospitality offered against Oldham will determine the by Preston Grasshoppers to the Lynx this destiny of the Second Division

year. Championship. Victory today will place the Lynx in pole position, and Iwould urge Today, should see the first appearance of our supporters to outshout Oldham and David 'Doc' Murray as aLancashire Lynx cheer our lads to triumph!

I we come to OLDHAM

KEITH ATKINSON when the Bulls decided to scrap their The Stalwart. This is Keith's 8th reserve team. Impressive so far in the comeback! Signed for Oldham in 1985 and Roughyeds early games. hung up his boots for what everyone RICHARD DARKES thought was the final time in 1992. Little Former Huddersfield, Bradford and did we know! Back come forward who Dewsbury utility back. Ex-paratrooper. has played in every position with the Signed after impressing in apre season possible exception of scrum half. Broke match at Castleford. Played wing in his more bones that abutcher (his own that early days with Huddersfield and Bradford, is!). Superb attitude. but has since acquired considerable CRAIG BARKER experience in the centre and in the back Young stand-off half and aproduct of the row of the pack. Waterhead amateur RL club. Signed as a CRAIG DIGGLE pro for the former Bears club and joined ARochdalian, Craig played with Rochdale the Roughyeds as afree agent. Captained the Bears Academy side and graduated to Hornets when Roughyeds boss Paddy Kirwan was Alliance team coach at the Alliance side, which he also led on occasions. Spotland. Best position, wing. Scored two tries in Oldham's first competitive match JASON CLEGG against Heworth in the Silk Cut Challenge Big Prop. Started in Union with Cup. Littleborough, moved into League with Littleborough based North West Pioneers C H R I S E C K E R S L E Y and turned pro with Bradford Northern,(as Former schoolboy sprint champion, who they were then called), after being spotted signed for the old Oldham club as a15 by aNorthern scout playing in aBARLA year old on aclub record contract for a cup tie at Redhill (Castleford), Played teenager. Along running contract dispute several senior games with Bradford and ended with his move to Warrington before later had aspell on loan with Batley. he returned to his new home town club as SEAN COOPER afree agent after amajor shake up of Former Saddleworth Rangers star, who personnel at Wilderspool. was taken to Bradford in the Peter Fox MICHAEL EDWARDS era. Captained the Alliance side at Odsel, St Helens born, Michael first joined the old won numerous Alliance player of the year club as a15 year old scrum half. Was a awards and joined Oldham as afree agent regular in Alliance rugby for two or three

IX seasons before Oldham coach Tony for Oldham in the sixties and seventies.

Barrow took him to Swinton. Now playing M I C K M A R T I N D A L E in the pack, he had aspell on loan with Clever half handler. Represented Oldham Salford last season and was delighted to schoolboys on tour in Australia with lain return to Oldham when the opportunity MacCorqodale, Eric Fitzsimons and Fred arose. Laughton in 1988. Turned pro with Halifax, NEIL FLANAGAN moved to Wakefield as part of aswop deal Club skipper and an influential leader. A and joined his home-town club in January. product of St. Annes, Neil turned pro for Made his debut in the cup defeat at his home town club and became it's Widnes, Loose-forward or stand-off. youngest captain athe age of 19. J O E M c N I C H O L A S Eventually moved on to Huddersfield, Out and out winger. Fast, elusive and good where he also had leadership on his feet. Still only 18, signed for the responsibilities before joining Rochdale Bears as aboy, but played only one senior Hornets. Proud to be back in his home game, at Leeds in the Premiership play-off town and even prouder to be the skipper. last season. Rejected Bradford Bulls in a JOHN HOUGH bid to make his name with the Roughyeds. Made his name as the first player to be ADRIAN MEAD signed by the Roughyeds shortly after the AWiganer, Aidie first played in the Bears new club was formed. Aproduct of the Oldham schoolboy and youth game, John Academy side as awinger, but he switched to centre last season and is adetermined little hooker, who gained considerable experience from his 30 senior impressed as astrong and pacy runner games for Warrington. who could score tries. Keen to improve further and build on the success he AFI LEUILA enjoyed in the Bears 'A' team in 1997. Played 22 Super League games for the M I K E P R E S C O T T Bears last season after coming close to representing Tonga in the 1995 World Cup. Back-row forward, also from Wigan. Make First played for St Helens. This strong, abig name for himself as astrong running tough South Sea Islander, born in Tonga, forward in the early days of Academy raised in Auckland, will probably figure in rugby. Since served his apprenticeship in the centre this season, although he is the Alliance side and capable of doing well equally at home on the flank, for the new Oldham club at prop or in the backrow. MARTIN MADERS Young prop, who joined Huddersfield from BRIAN QUINLAN Saddleworth Rangers as aclub record buy Raised at St Anne's, Brain was one of the for ateenager. Had aspell in Australia and three Oldham amateurs taken to Bramley later played with local amateurs, by Maurice Bamford. The others were Jon VVaterhead before joining Oldham for an Perks and Roy Jewitt. Astrong prop or undisclosed fee. His father Dennis played second-row, Brian is auseful goalkicker. He also plays, during the winter, for NATHAN VARLEY Oldham RU but he is the first to admit that Ago-go forward, who excelled with his all¬ RL is his real sporting love. round performance in attack and defence

PAUL ROUND in the friendly at Whelton Road. Not the Veteran of the squad at 34. Joined Oldham biggest of forwards, Nathan has abig from St Helens in 1987. The fee, £65,000 heart. He won Yorkshire youth honours set by tribunal. Enjoyed the best days of before rejecting Keighley to sign for Bradford. One of several ex-Bradford men his career at Watersheddings. Since had further experience with Wakefield, Halifax in the Oldham Camp. and Castleford. One of the 'old heads' in a S T E V E W I L D E young pack. Utility back. Strong and pacy. Started with

DARREN ROBINSON Saddleworth Rangers. Signed by Brian Gatland for the Bears Alliance side last 'Baby' of the squad at 18. Scrum-half, who can also operate at stand-off. ALeeds lad, season. Played with Waterhead when the Darren played for the Bears Academy and Bears folded, but was keen to sign the Alliance teams, but never signed on. new club when opportunity knocked. Signed for the Roughyeds as afree agent J O E N A D I O L E and has since caught the eye in warm-up Big forward signed from Featherstone matches, particularly in the 27-26 defeat at Rovers for an undisclosed fee. Castleford. Huddersfield-born Joe played for his

G R A E M E S H A W home-town club before moving on to Post Son of former Oldham Athletic and West Office Road. His elder brother, Tom, used Brom soccer star David Shaw, Graeme to play for the former Oldham club and played Union as aboy at Rakewood Joe made many visits to Watersheddings (Littleborough), but turned to amateur RL in those days to watch big brother in with Moldgreen when his family moved to action. He never realised then that one day Huddersfield. Represented the Young he would play for anew Oldham club. Lions against the Junior Kiwis and then C H R I S W I L K I N S O N signed for Bradford. Made atry-scoring Played for Oldham as ateenage amateur Super League debut at Leeds. Second-row in the old colts team of about 15 years forward. ago. Signed for Crusaders and also

IAN SINFIELD played for Carlisle, Dewsbury, Swinton and Made abig impression so far. Another home-town Leigh, from whom the Oldhamer, aproduct of Waterhead. Roughyeds snapped him up on afree Turned pro with Salford, who got an transfer amonth ago. undisclosed fee when he signed for An experienced half-back, Wilkinson Oldham at Christmas. Anatural back- played his first few games for Oldham at rower, he is the elder brother of England full-back before being switched to stand¬ schoolboys star and now Leeds youngster, off in the 18-18 draw with Lancashire Lynx Kevin Sinfield. at Preston Grasshoppers RU ground recently.

e: i !(icaidlanw A(an5weat

M&S Gentleman's Fishergate formal q; Tesco O) 5-( cn wear/dress

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ns hire specialist T

24-25CANNON STREET, PRESTON PR1 SNR Tel: 01772 555581 These depart at 12.30 and 11.30 on the respectively and don't forget that the coaches leave from the Deepdale Hotel HOME not from the ground. For more information or to book your place phone Mike front Croasdale on 01772 252423.

S U P P O R T E R S C L U B N E W S

Membership numbers continue to grow, but if you haven't joined it’s not too late and you can join today. Remember, it only c o s t s £ 2 f o r a d u l t s a n d £ 1 f o r concessions.

You can also join the Lynx Supporters Club raffle club. This costs £12 for ayear and remember, the more people that join, the more you can win. You don't have to be in the Supporters Club to join, even Ray French is amember so you have no excuses.

The last meeting was held on July 8th and one of the main issues on the agenda was that of social events for players and supporters. Although nothing has been decided as yet, there should something Lancashire Lynx have signed Doc on the cards very soon, so watch this space for news. Murray on an eighteen month contract. The ex-Wigan fuii-back Finally the latest newsletter should be on it's way to you very soon and the next becomes Lancashire Lynx record open meeting of the Supporters Club will signing and wiii appear today for the be held on August 5th at the Guild Room, first time as aLynx player. Deepdale starting at 8pm. Everyone welcome. Doc had previously been playing on

AWAY TRAVEL loan from the Super League club, but The usual luxury transport will be available he was able to sign for Lynx after for the trip up to Barrow on the 2nd Wigan agreed to release him from his August and that at Doncaster on the 9th. contract. Stat Attack Player App Sub TGD/G Pts App Sub TGD/G Pts Darren Abram :15 6 24 15 6 24 Neil Allday 3 8 16 24 34 61 138 Steve Ashcroft 8 3 4 16 50 313 52 Carl Briscoe 10 3 2 8 183 28 37 1 150 Steve Byrne 11 3 5 20 24 813 ■ 53 Craig Campbell 1 1: John Donno 12 3 3 1 13 16 64 1 17 Craig Fairhurst 6 2 1 4 23 22 8 Milton Finney 6 1 4 35 410 40 Steve Gee 8 3 12 34 14 56 Danny Jones 2 9 92 8 Phil Jones 15 748 124 23 59 48 132 Chris Kelly 14 8 137 ^38117 1 73 Rob McLoughlin 3 10 5 4 16 Neil Mawdsley 2 12 2 12 Doc Murray 6 1 2 8: 6 1 2 8 Paul Norton 1 10 14 12 Neil Parsley 14 13 52 35 1 23 92 Jason Pekepo 9 4 :4 16 9: 4 4 16 Lee Prest 11 1 1 ;4 11 11 4 Andy Ruane 14 32 4 20 78 10 23 14 103 Simon Smith 6 19 688 48 PJ Soloman 13 2 4 16 3 7 215 60 Steve Taylor 10 1 2 8 50 15 20 Jason Viller 1 1 Joe Walsh 5 116 2 6 4 0 1161 Ray Waring 3 1 4 43 39 156 27 players used Total 70 58 6 4 0 2 27 Players used Academy2nd Divison DIVISION TWO April 19th Batley Bulldogs HW18-16 25th Hunslet Hawks AL4-44 PWDL FADiff PTS May 2nd Silk Cut -FINAL 10th ■Gateshead ■ Hmo-12 12 22314 193 121 1 8 Lancashire Lynx 23rd Dewsbury Rams An-32 31st Cardiff Demons W42-10 Bramley 14 9 05342 251 91 1 8 June 7th Doncaster Dragons W14-10 14th York L14-16 Oldham 13 14299 222 77 17 21st Hemel Hempstead W38-24 28th Hunslet Hawks L22-24 July 05 York Wasps 13 272 183 89 16 5th Gateshead L32-22 19th Dewsbury Rams L28-10 25th Cardiff Demons A 2.30 13 7 06286 241 45 14 Batley Bulldogs August 2nd Doncaster Dragons H 2.30 Barrow Border Raiders 13 6 233 234 13 9th York A2.30 16th Hemel Hempstead H12.30 24th Batley Bulldogs A 7.30 Workington Town 13 2110 188 384 -196 5 30th SECOND DIVISION PLAY-OFFS September 6th SECOND DIVISION PLAY-OFFS Doncaster Dragons 13 1 111 197 423 -226 3 13th SECOND DIVISION PLAY-OFFS FINAL /l'' o. ®igiu)iisrg,

Date Opponent Venue Score/k.o Att 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 n 12 13 14 15 16 17 February Sun1 WEST HULL (SCCC4I H 46-0 Allday 5g Waring Finney IT Abram IT McLoughlin Jones 2T Kelly 2T Taylor Ruane Pekepo Gee IT Briscoe IT Solomon Byrne IT Mawdsley Norton Donno Sun 15 DEWSBURY(SCCC5) H 28-28 736 AlldayBg McLoughlin Finney Abram IT Parsley IT Jones Kelly Taylor IT Ruane Ig Pekepo Gee 2T Briscoe Solomon Byrne Mawdsley Norton Donno Wed 18 DEWSBURY(SCCC5 Replay) a 14-31 750 Allday 3g McLoughlin Finney Abram Parsley IT Jones Kelly Taylor Ruane IT Ig Pekepo IT Briscoe Solomon Byrne Mawdsley Norton Donno

April FrilO OLDHAM a Postponed Mon 13 BARROW B. RAIDERS H 20-20 721 Fairhurst Waring Byrne Abram Parsley2T Jones 4g Kelly IT Taylor Donno Prest Pekepo Briscoe Ruane Ashcroft NortonSolomon Mawdsley Sun 19 DONCASTER DRAGONS H 40-6 750 Fairhurst Byrne Finrtey Abram Parsley2T Jones 4g Kelly 2T Taylor IT Donno IT Prest Solomon IT Bnscoe Ruane IT Ashcroft Smith Pekepo Mawdsley Wed 29 BRAMLEY a 19-14 453 Fairhurst Byrne Finney Abram Parsley Jones IT 4g Ruane Idg Taylor Donno Prest Briscoe Mawdsley Solomon IT Ashcroft SmithViller PekepoIT

May Sun 10 YORKWASPS H 12-25 853 Fairhurst Byrne Finney Abram Parsley Jones lT2g Kelly IT Taylor Donno Prest Briscoe Mawdsley Ruane Murray Soloman Pekepo Smith

Sun 17 WORKINGTONTOWN a 40-6 Murray 2T Byrne Ashcroft IT Abram Parsley Jones 6g Kelly IT Taylor Donno Prest Briscoe Soloman IT Ruane Fairhurst IT Smith Pekepo IT Mawdsley

Sun 24 BATLEY BULLDOGS a 17-16 . 501 Murray Byrne Ashcroft IT Abram Parsley Jones IT3g Kelly Taylor Donno Prest Briscoe Soloman Ruane 3dg DJones Smith Norton Mawdsley RED ROSE CHAMPIONSHIP May Sun SIstOldham H 1&-1B 1351 Fairhurst Byrne Ashcroft 2T Abram ParsleylT JoneslTSG Kelly T a y l o r D o n n o Norton Briscoe Solomon Ruane D. Jones Prest Smith Mawdsley |At Lightfoot Lane: Preston Grass! >rs' Ground) June Sun 7th Barrow Border Raiders A 22-12 Murray Byrne Ashcroft Abram2T ParsleylT Jones4G KellylDG Prest DonnolDG Pekepo Gee Solomon Ruane Fairhurst Norton Walsh Mawdsley Gee Solomon Ruane Sun 14th Workington A 26-25 709 Fairhurst Byrne Ashcroft /i^rant Parsley2T Jones3G Kelly Prest DonnolT P e k e p o SriscoelT Norton Walsh Mawdsley Fri 19th Oldhamlat Spotiand) A 20-25 1856 Murray Byrne2T Ashcroft Abram ParsleylT Jones4G Kelly Prest Donno Pekepo Gee Solomon Ruane Briscoe Norton Walsh Taylor Sun 28th Workington Town H 48-12 647 Murray Byrne2TAshcroft1T AbramIT ParsleylT Jones1T6G Kelly PrestlT DonnolT PekepolT Gee Solomon Ruane Walsh Norton Campbell Mawdsley July Sun SthBarrow Border Raiders H 32-14 339 Murray WaringiT Ashcroft AbramIT ParsleylT J o n e s 6 G KellylT Prest Donno Pekepo Gee Solomon RuanelT Mawdsley Norton Walsh Briscoe Son 19th Trans Pennine Cup final Sun 26 OLDHAM H 3pm

August Sun 2 BARROW BRAIDERS A 3pm Sun 9 DONCASTER DRAGONS A 3pm Sun 16 BRAMLEY H 3pm Sun 23 YORKWASPS A 3pm Wed 26 OLDHAM A 3pm Sun 30 WORKINGTONTOWN H 3pm

SepterDber Sun 6 BATLEY BULLDOGS H 3pm

Allgames except Silk Cut Challenge Cup ties, friendlies and the Trans Pennine Cup Final count towards the Second Division Championship. The winners of the Red Rose Championship Round Robin (31st May !5th July inclusive) play the winners of the White Rose Championship in the Trans Pennine Rnal

Friendly Results January Sun 18 ST HELENS H 14-34 1405 Allday IT 3g ParsleylT

April Sun 5 NLANCS AMATEURS H 58-0 Byrne IT Waring IT Donno 2T Mawdsley IT Jones 2T 4g Parsley 2T Westwood 2TPekepo IT Murray Ig

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’ii Phil Jones Steve Gee Sponsored by C h r i s K e l l y Neil Mawdsley Sponsored by ALAN LIVESEY Sponsored by Sponsored by G E O R G E L U N N The Livesey G R A H A M YAT E S JEFF MALLINSON Group M&YJoinery Harry Ramsdens Rfn

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SUNDAY JULY 5TH And they were well on course to fulfil their double goal leading 26-0 after 56 L A N C A S H I R E L Y N X 3 2 minutes. B A R R O W B R A I D E R S 1 4 That gave them a39-point advantage JUDGING by their pained expression at over Oldham in the competition. the end Lancashire's players looked like they had just lost the game instead of The wheels however then fell off. winning handsomely. Oldham piled up the points against It was of course another two points Workington while Lancashire allowed towards the main objective of the t h e i r C u m b r i a n v i s i t o r s b a c k i n t o t h e Second Division title. match while becoming over anxious to run up acricket score themselves. But Lynx wanted desperately to make the Trans-Pennine Cup Final and clinch Eventually they were beaten by the clock the Red Rose Championship at the same and their own failings when they might time. have added to their five touchdowns.

However on any other day they would certainly have been satisfied by the margin of victory. They weren't probably helped by having to switch the game from Deepdale to the smaller pitch belonging to their rugby union neighbours at Preston Grasshoppers. The extra width of Deepdale would certainly have suited them but they had to accept what was on offer and certainly there was nothing wrong with apristine playing surface.

'The main thing was to just to get the win and the two points", said influential loose forward Andy Ruane.

"It we had managed to score plenty of points than that would have been a bonus.' "It would have been nice to get to the final but our priority is the Second Division."

"We will probably go up anyway but we don't want to come second or third. We want to be promoted as champions." After their victory over Oldham seven days earlier Barrow had hoped for better things. "We certainly came here to win" said frustrated coach Stewart Wilkinson.

"I have the players who can do the business but they showed too much indiscipline and lost the ball more that I would have liked."

"The effort was there but it was all mis¬ directed."

It took Lancashire 15 minutes to get the scoreboard ticking over. Mick Kavanagh sent in hard- working Winger Ray Waring, in for Steve Byrne, prop Geoff Luxon for atry improved by scored his first try of the season to set Dean Marwood before Rhodes Lynx on the way. thundered over after 62 minutes to put another nail in Lancashire's coffin. Phil Jones converted for the first of his six successful kicks. By the time Ruane bulldozed over six minutes from time Lancashire's Cup Man of the Match Darren Abram added Final dream was well and truly over try number tow after 35 minutes, leaving Barrow winger Garry Ruddy to ironically with Barrow back at full add insult to injury with the game's final strength after the earlier sin-binning of try after 79 minutes. Stewart Rhodes. GAMEBREAKER: Scrum-half Chris Kelly added another try Ray Waring's disallowed try after 53 before the interval and with Jones minutes was the last hope Lancashire booting three further goals. Lynx led 20-0 had of building abig enough lead to deny at half-way. Winger Neil Parsley finished Oldham on points difference. off some good work by Doc Murray, for t o u c h d o w n n u m b e r f o u r b e f o r e h i s o w n GAMESTAR: afternoon and that of the teams took a Darren Abram -always in the thick of the t u r n f o r t h e w o r s t . action and deserved his own personal moment of glory in 35th minute. To their credit Barrow stuck to their task.

COURTESY OF RUGBY LEAGUE EXPRESS

MJM C H R I S J O N E S e x a m i n e s should open up adebate about some fundamental issues. the future for the clubs "The future has been uncertain for the last outside Super League 18 months, both with regard to finance The FASDA clubs recently joined and the right to get into Super League", a d d s S c o t t . their Super League colleagues in voting to accept the new deal "We now have to begin making positive being offered to the game by plans for the future, and the debate has to begin at this Friday's FASDA meeting. Rupert Murdoch's News Limited, "The key issues are the league structure, hat means that Super League will the distribution of finances, and the timing continue to be broadcast on BskyB of the playing season". T until the end of the 2003 season, with the Super League clubs receiving £45 WHAT WILL WORK? m i l l i o n f r o m N e w s L i m i t e d o v e r t h a t period. COMING up with the best league The FASDA clubs, those professional clubs s t r u c t u r e f o r F A S D A c l u b s n e x t outside Super League, will not share in the season is atough problem, long term broadcasting deal, however. possibly demanding brainpower of Instead they will receive £10.8 million over MENSA proportions. the next two years, the timescale of the 19 clubs is too many for one division, but original BskyB deal, and they will be free to is too few for two divisions. And the fact negotiate with other broadcasters to that there is an odd number of clubs adds screen their competitions. to the problem. The FASDA clubs now face some thorny The RFL Council has already decided that questions about the structure of their there will be 14 clubs in division one next leagues, and how they will distribute their season, with the remaining clubs staying in funds. Will they allow all the money to go division two. But that may remain in the to players, or will they attempt to invest it lowest division, unless new clubs can be to secure their future? found from somewhere. And only Hemel And will they stick with their previous Hempstead would seem to be realistic decision to have 14 clubs in Division One contenders to come into division two next next season, leaving just four of five clubs season. remaining in Division Two. Batley Chairman Kevin Nicholas, whose "At the time those decisions were made club is battling to get into division one, is the game was shrouded in uncertainty", convinced that the structure would be says Bob Scott, the General Manager of unjust, whether his club is still in division FASDA, who believes that his organisation t w o o r n o t .

news COURTESY OF RUGBY LEAGUE EXPRESS

Twe: m "The prospect of having five or six teams in development." division two next season is unworkabie," "But we need to have aplan for next year. says Nichoias. Clubs like Lancashire and York have said "Even if we were iucky enough to be that they will not be here next season promoted, Iwouidn't want to see five unless they are in division one, and we teams abandoned in division two." can't allow that to happen."

At the other end of the FASDA scaie, But will bringing aii the clubs into one Wakefield Trinity Chairman Ted Richardson league be the best solution? accepts that the league structure already "If 19 teams were in one league that would decided upon is now unrealistic. give 36 games, which would also not be "Everything should be up for discussion," ideal, although if we had 20 teams it would says Richardson. be easier to find asolution," argues "We were presuming things when we Nicholas, although Bob Scott is cautious made that decision that are no longer true." about whether that is likely to happen. "We decided on having 14 clubs in division "Some clubs, particularly those that aspire one when we didn't have the knowledge to get into Super League, are resisting we have now. Ibelieve, for one, that we bringing all the clubs outside Super League should have twelve dubs in division one." into one division," says Scott, although most FASDA clubs recognise that they Oldham Chairman Chris Hamilton, whose have to find asolution. club is also in division two, is another who believes that division two threatens to be "We have to talk until the best possible unworkable next season. system emerges." Says Chairman Ray Taylor. "FASDA can go from strength to strength, but we nee to sit down and plan our "At the moment we are all coming from structure now," says Hamilton. different directions."

"Everyone in Oldham is loving their rugby And Taylor is ready to jettison one aspect this year. They are glad to get back to of the game hat he believes has created watching rugby for the right reasons, after many of the financial problems FASDA the traumas of Super League last season." clubs are currently suffering from.

"But we don't have clubs queuing up to "Promotion and relegation has eaten the get in the second division next season, game away," claims Taylor. although not long ago we are assured that "Almost every club in the game is paying other clubs were wanting to come in." more than it can afford to avoid being relegated from its respective division. "Even Hemel Hempstead must wonder about joining division two. And the last "I certainly don't think it's vital that thing we would want to do with them is promotion is retained to Super League. destroy 15 years of Rugby League

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COURTESY OF RUGBY LEAGUE EXPRESS

~ r W E L M T Y OM Sadly in rugby league, as In day-to-day life it view seems as if we only hear the two extremes of an argument, as if there's no place for balanced f r o m t h e discussion. Within the game as awhole we have on one hand, the prophets of doom who have condemned every change since the game FAR SIDE became thirteen-a-side. From when we hear nothing but predictions of the game's decline So here we are again. At Grasshoppers. Again. and ultimate destruction on the other hand And Playing Oldham. Again. Maybe it's just me, there are those who continue to grin cheerfully but it's starting to feel as if we're always whilst glossing over any cracks that might truly playing Oldham these days. Don't get me threaten aspects of the sport. As supporters wrong, that's not necessarily abad thing, well we just hear whoever shouts the loudest or apart from the fact that we still haven't writes the most letters to Rugby League managed to claim more that apoint from them Express. yet. So far we've managed to draw against Closer to home are the plans and concerns for them here at Lightfoot Green, and then (sob) the future of the Lynx. In recent weeks we've lost our unbeaten away record to the one heard apublic commitment to the club's Friday night In Rochdale. Looking at it that way success (alright, so far it's with the condition it's ashame that the hoards of travelling that we must get promotion this season, but Oldham fans have only seen our home turf as you'd have hoped that we'd do that anyway) being here at the home of the town's rugby and yet there is still aniggling feeling of doubt. union team. That isn't meant to be acriticism of Although there are those in the PNE fraternity the facilities here at Grasshoppers, far from it, who, whilst not flocking to our games in their any ground where you can watch the game thousands, feeling that we're not abad thing, with apint in your hand gets my vote. It's just and yet for the moment, the people who are that Deepdale is our home. It's an excellent still shouting the loudest are those who only stadium, especially since the construction of want football at Deepdale. the Bill Shankly Stand and Ihope that the Celtic fans appreciate that today. In every aspect of the game, it would be nice (and maybe this is my mindless optimism The decision to shift our game will have come again) to actually hear something that vaguely as ashock to many Lynx supporters, resembles fact for achange, that accepts that particularly those faced with loyalties divided there are problems but that emphasises the between the round ball game and the much positive and looks for solutions. Or should Ijust superior one that you're here to watch today. a s k f o r t h e m o o n o n a s t i c k i n s t e a d ? There is perhaps afeeling that our being 'kicked out' of our own Theatre of Dreams Today is one of the most important games in (farcers and Greek tragedy aspeciality) the club's history. The final outcome is likely to undermines the position of the Lynx at have an effect on the top three and may well Deepdale. it also appears to add fuel to the prove to be vital in deciding the champions. argument of the less open-minded sections of We're not at Deepdale, but that was something to worry about last week and maybe even in the Town End who believe that rugby league shouldn't even dare to consider sullying their weeks to come. For now the most important thing is the eighty minutes being played on the pitch. bit of grass in front of you. Nothing else.

T* W IMTV' TWO WOT NO TROPHIES

O

D a r r e n A b r a m w a s Man of the Match _ynx VBarrow Border Raiders and received a trophy courtesy of the Trophy Centre

T H E T R O P H Y C E N T R E Hill Street, Preston. PRl 2BB

RING CHAD (01772) 254894 T e a m C h e c k 26TH JULY 1998

L A N C A S H I R E L Y N X OLDHAM

Full Back TGDG Full Back TGDG 1. Doc Murray □□□ 1. Steven Wilde □□□

Threequarters Threequarters 2. Ray Waring □□□ 2. Richard Darkes □□□ 3. Steve Ashcroft □□□ . 3. A fi L e u i l a □□□ 4. Darren Abram □□□ 4. Sean Copper □□□ ,5. Neil Parsley □□□ ' 5. Chris Eckersley □□□

Halfbacks Halfbacks 6. Phil Jones □□□ 6. C h r i s W i l k i n s o n □□□ 7. Chris Kelly □□□ 7. Neil Flanagan □□□

Forwards Forwards 8. Lee Prest □□□ 8. Andrew Proctor □□□ 9. John Donno □□□ 9. John Hough □□□ 10. Jayson Pekepo □□□ 10. Michael EdwardsD □□ 11. Steve Gee □□□ 11. Ian Sinfield □□□ 12. PJSolomon □□□ 12. Graeme Shaw □□□ 13. Andy Ruane □□□ 13. M i c k M a r t i n d a l e □□□

Substitutes Substitutes 14. Joe Walsh □□□ 14. Adrian Mead □□□ 15. Paul Norton □□□ 15. Jason Clegg □□□ 16. Carl Briscoe □□□ 16. Nathan Varley □□□ 17. Neil Mawdsley □□□ 17. Paul Round □□□ □□□ □□□ □□□ □□□

Referee I. McGregor Touch Judges S. M. Ellaby D. Tidman

4th Official I. Crabtree