Roughyeds' double swoop

Oldham's new full-back Luke Hooley

by Ryan Booth

Oldham RLFC have swooped to sign young duo Luke Hooley and Lee Kershaw on a month’s loan from Betfred Super League side Wakefield Trinity.

Hooley (aged 19), is no stranger to the Roughyeds having appeared for the club on six occasions during last season’s Championship Shield, while 18-year-old winger Kershaw arrives at the Vestacare Stadium ready for his first taste of open-age rugby league.

Full-back Hooley will be looking to pick up where he left off from his last loan spell with Roughyeds after kicking 18 goals, scoring a match-winning try at local rivals Rochdale Hornets and picking up two man-of-the-match awards during his time at the club.

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton said: “We welcome both Luke and Lee to Oldham and we are looking forward to having them with us.

“We know Luke well, of course, because of the time he spent with us towards the end of last season. He will be an excellent addition to the squad, as he was last year.

“Lee is a strong-running winger, highly rated by Wakefield, and we are looking forward to seeing him in action at League 1 level.”

Hooley said: “I really enjoyed my time at Oldham. It was a great experience for me and it’s good to be back.”

While Hooley has previously experienced the physical demands of the third-tier, for Kershaw the loan provides a fresh challenge, one that the youngster feels he will relish.

“I’m really looking forward to playing some regular rugby again, week in and week out,” he said.

“I’m still eligible for the under-19s, but playing open-age rugby against men will be a new challenge. I’m looking forward to it.”

The duo will join up to train with Scott Naylor’s side tomorrow evening (Thursday) and will be in contention to feature in Oldham’s home fixture versus Keighley Cougars on Sunday (kick-off: 3pm).

They will also be available for Oldham’s bumper Ladbrokes Challenge Cup showdown with Hull Kingston Rovers at Bower Fold on Sunday, April 22 (3pm).