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Making progress

Mike Floyd
19/12/2003

THE NUCLEUS of a squad is taking shape for Rochdale Hornets after a frenetic fortnight for Bobbie Goulding.

The new coach has seen his mobile phone virtually melt making calls to secure players for next season.

But the hard work seems to bearing fruit and he had the beginnings of a team together for their first training session on Thursday night in time for the draw for the third round of the Powergen Challenge Cup.

And it was an interesting outcome as Hornets were drawn to play Russian side Dinamo Moscow at Spotland on Sunday 8 February.

The Russians pulled off a shock 22-18 victory at West Bowling last Saturday and Goulding, a four time winner of the Challenge Cup, knows the importance of the tie. He said: "If we can get through this round, hopefully we will can get one of the big boys and generate some of the money the club realy needs."

Rampaging prop-forward Gareth Price has signed up for a second season with the club and last season's club captain David Stephenson looks set to join him.

Second-row forwards Rob Ball and Andy Gorski, winger/fullback Michael Platt, stand-off John Braddish, prop-forward Tony Kirwin and winger/fullback Michael Platt are also on board. Chris Campbell was due to sign at training.

Mayfield star Sam Butterworth was still considering his future as the Observer went to press, but he was due to train with the squad on Thursday night.

Goulding is still talking to second-rower Darren Shaw, centre Paul Anderson, hooker Richard Pachniuk and what he described as a "prolific scorer from Super League".

Matt Calland is believed to be on his way to Humberside to join former Hornets' coach Martin Hall at Hull KR. Calland travelled to Hull on Thursday afternoon for talks.

Calland's departure will come as a blow to Goulding, but the coach is determined to remain upbeat. He said: "As I have said before the time has come for the club to start looking forward.

"Last week we had no players, we now have 10 signed on so if I can tie another 10 up next week we will be fine.

"I am only bothered about now and the future. We are getting there, things are happening. I'm not shouting from any roof tops now, but we are going to be positive. Don't worry we'll get there."

The new squad members join Andy Grundy and Lee Birdseye who signed last week.

• ROCHDALE Mayfield also have an interesting draw.

The Keswick Street Club travel to the capital to take on London Skolars.

The full draw is: Sharlston v Dewsbury, London Skolars v Rochdale Mayfield, Hull KR v UT Catalan, Swinton v East Hull, Featherstone Rovers v Castleford Lions, Barrow v SM Pia, Hunslet v Featherstone Lions, Thatto Heath v Whitehaven, York v Villeneuve, Elland v Leigh, Ince RB v Batley, Bradford DH v Keighley, Oldham v Castleford Panthers, Halifax v Wath Brow/Oulton, Chorley v Lokomotiv Moscow, Doncaster v West Hull, Leigh MR v Sheffield, Crosfields v Workington, Gateshead v Limousin, Rochdale Hornets v Dinamo Moscow.

Ties to be played on Sunday, 8 February.