Roughyeds wait on Turner reports

SCOTT TURNER: Concussed twice in the space of 12 months

OLDHAM are waiting for medical reports on Scott Turner, who was concussed at Dewsbury Rams and didn't play at London Broncos last Sunday.

Badly shaken in a tackle, the former North Wales Crusaders wing or full-back had to leave the field at the Tetley's Stadium midway through the first half.

He wasn't fit to play at London seven days later, on his 23rd birthday, and he has since had a consultation with a neuro-surgeon, as demanded by the sport's governing body when a player is concussed twice within 12 months.

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton said: "RFL rules and regulations on concussion are crystal clear; if a player is concussed twice within a year he must be examined by a neuro-surgeon before he can play again.

'HAPPENED'

"This was the second time it's happened to Scott in under 12 months so there was no way he could play at London.

"He saw a consultant on Monday and we are now waiting for his reports."

With Adam Clay (calf), Jack Spencer (dead leg), Phil Joy (shoulder) and Craig Briscoe (knee) also on the casualty list, and loan men Kieran Gill and Liam Bent having been recalled by Castleford Tigers and Salford Red Devils respectively, coaching staff and management have welcomed a Sunday off, while the players have lauded the decision to cancel training this week so they can freshen up and go again against Batley Bulldogs on Sunday, May 21.

Having now received the RFL's official approval, Oldham can confirm that the Batley 'home' game will be played at the Manchester Regional Arena in the Etihad Complex (kick-off 3pm).

It will be the first of three crucial games, all away from Bower Fold, against opponents of a similar standard which are all jostling for position at the lower end of the KP Championship table.

If they can see off Batley in Manchester on May 21 they will go above the Bulldogs into seventh place and with a game in hand on most of their closest rivals.

Next up, on Saturday, May 27, is the Summer Bash clash at Blackpool (2.30pm) against derby rivals Rochdale Hornets, who currently lie ninth, one spot beneath Roughyeds and with two points fewer.

After that, on Sunday, June 4, Scott Naylor's men go to Swinton Lions, who are in 10th place, one point behind Rochdale and three behind Oldham.

Results from those three games will go a long way to defining Oldham's second season of Championship rugby.

They don't play at Bower Fold again until Hull KR visit on Sunday, June 11, ending a period of nearly two months and seven matches on the road.

Of their last eight games of the regular season, however, no fewer than six will be at Bower Fold, including the rearranged Dewsbury Rams game on Wednesday, June 21.

Summer Bash tickets and special limited-edition replica jerseys for the televised game against Rochdale are available from the club on 07904898177 up to 1.30pm today and from 9.30am to 3pm on Friday.

After the game, the shirts worn by the players will be signed and auctioned off with receipts split between the Oldham RLFC Community Trust and Maggie's Oldham, the new cancer support centre to be opened next month on the site of the Royal Oldham Hospital.