Ryan Lannon featured for dual-registration partners Oldham RLFC in their 14-0 triumph over Levy Nzoungou’s Whitehaven on the opening day of the Betfred League 1 season.
The Roughyeds earned a hard-fought victory in a sluggish encounter at the Recreation Ground, a solitary try from Matthew Wilkinson and five goals from Paul Crook were the ultimate difference between the two sides.
Lannon started the game for Oldham and impressed on his first appearance of the season, following his return from a three game suspension.
Nzoungou, who is currently on loan at Whitehaven, replaced Kris Coward in the opening period after starting amongst the interchanges, but the Frenchman was unable to inspire a Haven comeback as Oldham opened their campaign with a win.
Whitehaven Head Coach and former Salford man Carl Forster said: “We were far from good enough, completion and discipline killed us.
“When we got into vital positions we didn’t take our chances.
“With 16 in the squad as opposed to 17, it’s always going to be tough against a big Oldham pack.”
However there was no involvement for Salford winger Derrell Olpherts, the outside back was included in The Roughyeds’ 19 man squad for the trip to Cumbria, but wasn’t selected in Head Coach Scott Naylor’s starting lineup or interchanges.
Ryan Lannon could be in contention to start for a second successive week when Oldham host Featherstone Lions at the Vestacare Stadium in the third round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup on Sunday 25th February.
In addition, Levy Nzoungou may well feature in the same competition as Whitehaven look to bounce back from the defeat to Oldham when they host London Skolars.
Elsewhere in this week’s dual-reg and loan watch, Gavin Bennion was included in Stuart Littler’s starting lineup as Swinton Lions lost 28-48 to Batley Bulldogs in a competitive Betfred Championship clash at the The Salford Stadium.
The defeat means The Lions lie 11th in the table, but the Heywood Road based outfit have the chance to bounce back when they travel to Dewsbury Rams next Sunday.
Finally, Daniel Murray featured for Halifax during their clash with Toronto Wolfpack at The MBI Shay.
Two tries from Adam Higson alongside further scores from Greg Worthington and Nick Rawsthorne cancelled out Chester Butler’s first half effort for Fax as The Wolfpack ran out 20-6 winners.
Murray will be hopeful of featuring for Halifax when they travel to Rochdale Hornets in the next round of Championship fixtures.
By Ryan Booth
