Rugby League: Frustrated Molloy fails to find freedom

The Great Britain forward Steve Molloy has failed in his second attempt to have himself declared a free agent.

A Rugby League tribunal has ruled that Featherstone Rovers' delays in paying Molloy, whose four caps include two substitute appearances on last year's tour, are not serious enough to constitute a breach of contract.

That means that Molloy remains registered with the First Division club, whereas free agent status would have allowed him to negotiate a contract with a Super League team, several of whom have shown interest in him.

In a similar case York have been told that they must pay their forward Craig Wright what he is owed by the end of the week if he is not to become a free agent.

The new Oldham club, which has lost all the players from the now defunct Oldham Bears to free agency, will announce where it will play and what it will be called at a public meeting in the town tonight.

The club has been negotiating with both Rochdale and Oldham football clubs about using their grounds, and there is local pressure for the reclaiming of the traditional nickname, the Roughyeds. One certainty is that the Bears title will not be readopted.

Recruitment for the new club has started from scratch, with two Oldham- born players, the Rochdale half-back Neil Flanagan and the Warrington hooker John Hough, both in negotiation.

Wigan have completed the signing of the Hunter Mariners hooker and captain, Robbie McCormack, on a one-season contract. McCormack was out-standing in the Mariners' progress to the World Club Championship final this year.

Hull have lined up another Mariner - Craig Kimmorley, brother of the Australian tourist, Brett. London have confirmed the signing of the New Zealand prop, Grant Young, as a replacement for Tony Mestrov, who will pack down alongside McCormack at Wigan.