Derby red-card deja-vu

Photo: Tim Bradley

Sam Gee

SAMMY Gee's red card near the end of Oldham's Summer Bash defeat by Rochdale wasn't the first time this season that a Roughyeds player has been sent off against the club's derby rivals.

After the final hooter had sounded to herald a Hornets win in the pre-season Law Cup encounter at Bower Fold in January, George Tyson was sent off and ultimately charged with grade 'D' punching.

With club chairman Chris Hamilton by his side, 23-year-old Tyson pleaded guilty, with mitigation, and was banned for four matches.

Hamilton said: "We felt it was beneficial for George and I to attend, not least because it gave us the chance to explain that what we considered to be extenuating circumstances led to George's reaction.

"EXPLAIN"

"We weren't there to defend what he did, but to explain what caused him to act in the way he did."

At Blackpool on Saturday there was a feeling of deja-vu among Roughyeds supporters when Gee was sent off with barely a minute left for what looked like a similar offence to the one committed by Tyson in pre-season.

At the same time, Oldham-born Hornets half-back Danny Yates was sent to the sin bin.

Roughyeds boss Scott Naylor said: "I have known Sammy for more than five years and he is not that kind of person.

"There are only a couple of reasons why he would lose his rag like that.

"He indicated something was said to him, which is poor I'm afraid. I will speak to Sam and we'll decide what we're going to do about it."

If usual disciplinary procedure and protocol is not affected by yesterday's Betfred Super League games, Gee's case will probably go before the RFL's independent Operational Rules Tribunal on Tuesday of next week.

That would make him available to Naylor for this Sunday's Kingstone Press Championship game against Swinton Lions at Sale, kick-off 3pm.

The Lions, who were promoted with Oldham in 2015, were beaten 30-24 by Sheffield Eagles on Summer Bash Sunday, which keeps them three points and one place behind Roughyeds, who have a game in hand.

After three losses in a row, Oldham are seriously in need of a win against another of their close Greater Manchester rivals.