Oldham’s relief as forward is reprieved

Gary Middlehurst

FOR the second time in a month Oldham forward Gary Middlehurst has received good news from the Rugby Football League’s disciplinary body’s match review panel.

In April, when he was sin-binned for a high tackle at Whitehaven, the panel ruled that the yellow card was sufficient sanction for an offence in which he made a legitimate attempt to tackle.

The report also stated that although contact was made with the inner forearm to an opponent’s head it wasn’t excessive.

In the latest review, the panel looked at an incident in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup tie against Warrington Wolves when Middlehurst was alleged to have made dangerous contact with Jordan Cox in the 49th minute.

Announcing ‘no charge’, the panel concluded that Middlehurst placed a foot down his opponent’s leg while holding him in a tackle, but did not make unnecessary contact.

The reprieve will be hugely welcomed by Oldham, who go to Halifax on Friday (8pm kick off) with the opportunity to avenge a home defeat by ‘Fax on Good Friday.

With 14 points from 13 games, Halifax are two points outside the top four.

They lost ground when going down 32-16 at Batley on Sunday and having already won at Bower Fold they will be targeting Friday’s return fixture as a must-win game.

Oldham are thought to have come through the Leigh game with no further injury worries, although the picture will be clearer when the players report for training tonight.