Chris Murphy, Lucas Onyango, Paul Ballard, David Cookson, Tom Rigby, Neil Roden, Jamie Dallimore, Bruce Johnson, Martin Roden,Liam Gilchrist, Neil Rigby, Michael Ward, Paul Noone.

Subs Dave Ellison, Danny Langtree, Danny Whitmore, John Clough and John Gillam.

Senior players Neil Roden, Paul Noone and Lucas Onyango will all be making their first appearance of this season with Onyango not having played since rupturing his achilles in the warm up against Doncaster on 1 May 2011.

New signing Paul Ballard will be hoping for a good start to his Oldham career playing in the centre and several of the other players will be hoping for big performances to cement their places in the 17 to take on Fev next week at Whitebank in the first game of the 2012 Northern Rail Cup competition.

Featherstone have reported that the weather forecast has improved and they are confident that the game will go ahead. Should there be any problems details will be available by 12.30 on Sunday on this site, Facebook, Twitter and on the clubs answering machine otherwise the match will definitely be on.

In the two matches played so far this pre season newcomer and vastly experienced forward Paul Smith has led the side but the two other main contenders, Neil Roden and Paul Noone, have yet to play this season and Benson will give himself more time before making a final decision on who will lead the side going into the season prior to the start of the Northern Rail Cup campaign against Featherstone Rovers at Whitebank on 12 February kick off 3pm.

Having plenty of choice is never a bad thing and Benson evens says he may wait until the start of the league campaign before making a final choice.

“Neil Roden did a great job last season as Captain but when you have more than one option its a good position to be in. There is no immediate rush as its important to make sure we get the decision right for the whole squad as much as the Captain himself” said Benson.Both Roden and Noone are expected to feature in the match at Featherstone on Sunday as they look to play their first games of the season.

For 24 hours only, the Scorpions will be selling adult and concession match tickets at just £5, heavily reduced from £12 and £7 respectively.

The opportunity to buy takes place from 4pm on Tuesday 8th February to 4pm on Wednesday 9th February 2012 and only via the official website at http://www.scorpionsrl.com/page.php?id=1991.

There will be an option to buy child tickets alongside this offer for the regular price of £3 for those aged between 12 and 16 and free (online charge of 1p) for those aged 11 and under.

There is no limit as to how many tickets anyone can buy but there are only 500 tickets available with this offer so once they’re gone, they’re gone. Once bought, All tickets will be available from the reception desk at the club house for collection on the day of the game.

Scorpions chairman Phil Davies said: “We are pleased to launch ‘500 Tickets for a Fiver Day’ and we hope that it will encourage more fans to attend our first competitive home match of the season, so if you’ve thought about going to watch us at The Gnoll and haven’t yet given us a try then now is your chance.

“We will take orders from home or away fans. We are told that Oldham are good travellers but we know cost is often an issue to anyone travelling away. We hope that this campaign will also help the Oldham fans to travel in larger numbers.

“We are now very much looking forward to the new season and we’d like to thank all the media organisations who have already come on board to help us promote this campaign. Hopefully it will have a good response and we’ll see a good crowd for the Oldham game at The Gnoll on Sunday 19th February.”

South Wales Scorpions open their 2012 campaign this Saturday 4^th February with a warm-up match against a Wigan Warriors XIII at The Gnoll in Neath (kick-off 3pm). Tickets are on sale at www.scorpionsrl.com.

Departs The Junction at 2pm to allow time for a beer at the ground before the bar closes at 2.30pm

Return immediately after the game

Free of charge but we do ask that you book in advance so we can ensure we lay on a large enough vehicle. You can book on 0161 633 2759 or just see us at the bar.

There is no minimum number required, we’ll run it come what may.

Regards,

Mike and Mark

Junction Inn

The flyer, who played under coach Tony Benson at Leigh arrives on a deal to the 30th of November after fully recovering from a knee operation following an injury at his last club, Blackpool.

He can play on the wing, at full back and at centre and is a player Benson had targeted with his extensive experience both in the Championship and Super League.

Ballard moved to Widnes following his spell at Leigh and then onto the now defunct Celtic Crusaders playing in all three professional divisions with that club following their rise through the professional ranks.

After a successful spell playing Super League with the South Wales club and their subsequent demise he played for Blackpool in the 2010 season where he suffered the injury which saw him make the decision to not play at all in 2011 in order to get himself back to full fitness ready for this year.

Ballard is known for his pace and try scoring ability and is sure to be a strike player for the club who are delighted to confirm his capture despite competition from other clubs including Barrow where his brother, and former Oldham player Andy, is still playing.

Ballard will come straight into the reckoning for Sundays last pre season fixture at Featherstone, kick off 3pm.

Signed by Oldham from the Barrow club in 1959 he made his debut in a league match at Whitehaven on the 28^th of February that year progressing to play in a further 211 first team matches scoring 29 tries and kicking one drop goal – but what a goal! For those of a certain age he is still revered for kicking that last minute drop in the 1964 Challenge Cup semi against Hull KR at Headingley to square the scores at 5-5 and keep the Roughyeds’ Wembley dream alive.

Whilst at Oldham ‘Mac’ was selected to play for the Rugby League X111 international side against the 1961 touring New Zealanders staged at Manchester’s White City Stadium, twice for Lancashire and in 1963 played in the second Test against Australia at Swinton.

His previous clubs include St. Helens where he played in the 1956 Challenge Cup final 13-2 victory against Halifax at Wembley and later that year against Oldham at Wigan in the 10-3 Lancashire Cup final defeat, Liverpool City, Wigan and Warrington.

Thieves broke into the refreshment trailer situated within the ground and although there was nothing to steal they caused damage to the trailer.

Scenes of Crimes Officers have been to the ground in an attempt to gather evidence.

This is the latest blow as the club seeks to establish itself in the local community.

Following Friday nights highly promising performance against Saints the only injury concerns were Miles Greenwood who suffered a slight ankle knock and Matthew Fogarty who suffered a recurrence of a hand injury but later returned to the field.

Both are expected to be fit for Sundays final pre season match away at Featherstone if required.

Fridays win came without seven experienced players in Neil Roden (infection),Luke Stenchion (thumb), Shaun Robinson (abductor), Mark McCully (knee) Lucas Onyango who was ill, Dave Ellison and Paul Noone who both had work commitments and all of whom will be pushing for places in Sundays team.

Prop Luke Stenchion broke his thumb in the draw up at Whitehaven and is expected to be out for three weeks but it is hoped he will not need an operation on it.

Prices for Sundays game against last seasons Championship Grand Final winners are £10 adults, £5 concessions and £2 juniors for the game which kicks off at 3pm.

There is no pitch inspection planned and the match will go ahead unless there is a drastic change for the worse in the weather between now and kick off.

Admission prices are £10 adults, £8 concessions and £2 under 16s. Seat transfers are £2 each.