Hornets clash to be televised live

The Roughyeds' first Boundary Park game in Betfred League One, the derby clash with Rochdale Hornets on Easter Sunday (3pm, March 31), will be televised live on The Sportsman - further proof of Oldham's ever-increasing popularity in the media.

The Roughyeds have a blank weekend this weekend, before the showdown with Hornets at BP on the last day of the month.

As Hornets have several of Oldham's former players from last season it promises to be a real humdinger - certainly one for your diary.

The RFL has put out the following statement:

“The Sportsman are set to continue a bumper March and April with live coverage of three more games from three different competitions confirmed across their dedicated Rugby League YouTube channel.

“It kicks off on Saturday week, March 23 (2pm), with the Betfred Challenge Cup Sixth Round tie between holders Leigh Leopards and a Featherstone Rovers team who stunned Wakefield Trinity in a golden point thriller in front of the Sportsman cameras in the fifth round last weekend - in a match which attracted the Sportsman’s best ever viewing figures for a match not involving a Super League team.

“Adrian Lam’s Leopards tasted golden point glory themselves in last year’s Wembley final, and will be looking to begin a march to the arch again with a win against a Rovers side that they have shared some intense battles with in the Betfred Championship in recent years.

“The following weekend, the Sportsman begin their coverage of Betfred League One with much- fancied Oldham taking on local rivals Rochdale Hornets on Easter Sunday (31st March) - the action begins at 3pm with coverage starting from 2:45.

“Sean Long’s Roughyeds have already shown their credentials with cup wins against Betfred Championship sides Halifax and Barrow, and will be looking for another statement performance against a Rochdale outfit aiming for a return to the play-offs in 2024.

“The action continues into April with live coverage of the opening round of the Betfred Women’s Super League as reigning Champions York Valkyrie take on the current Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup holders St Helens at the LNER Community Stadium.

“Matty Smith’s St Helens side missed out on a Grand Final berth in golden point last season, they’ve been handed perhaps the fiercest start possible on their quest to put that right against a York side who also lifted the League Leaders Shield last time around.

"The match will kick off at 12pm on Sunday April 21.”

All Sportsman coverage, along with weekly shows, features and exclusive interviews, can be found on the Sportsman Rugby League Youtube channel - subscribe to keep up to date.

Meanwhile, Emmerson Whittel has left the Roughyeds.

A statement posted on the club's website yesterday (Monday) read: "Oldham Rugby League today confirmed the immediate release and deregistration by mutual consent of Emmerson Whittel.

"Emmerson was in the second year of a two year contract and he leaves the club at the start of its League One campaign."

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