Roper leaves

Steve Roper salutes the Roughyeds supporters at the KC Lightstream Stadium

OLDHAM RL Club have announced that half-back Steve Roper has left the club and has since signed for derby rivals Rochdale Hornets.

Roper (29) spent four seasons at Spotland before joining Scott Naylor's men midway through the 2014 League One campaign.

He was an influential member of the 2015 promotion side, but he has played in only 12 of 24 cup and league games this season and he hasn't seen action since limping off injured near the end of the 46-10 defeat at Dewsbury Rams on June 12.

Roper and club captain Lewis Palfrey were virtually automatic half-back selections last season, but Gareth Owen and Danny Grimshaw provide competition now and David Hewitt has arrived from Sheffield Eagles on loan.

Oldham club chairman Chris Hamilton: "Steve asked for his contract to be terminated, saying he felt he would be better off elsewhere, and we didn't want to stand in his way.

"We wish him well and we would like to thank him for his services."

Roper played 49 games for Oldham, scoring eight tries and kicking 67 goals and three drop goals for 169 points.