Relief for Oldham as coach Molloy decides to stay on

Steve Molloy is to stay on as coach of Oldham after guiding them into the Northern Ford Premiership play-offs this season. The former Great Britain prop is credited with bringing stability to the club after the loss in quick succession of Mike Ford to the Irish Rugby Union and John Harbin to Oldham Athletic.

Despite nearing his 34th birthday, Molloy was selected in the front row in the NFP's Dream Team this week. "I still feel fine and I want to carry on for another couple of years," he said.

Widnes have withdrawn their offer to Salford's Australian utility player, Damian Gibson, increasing the likelihood that he could join Castleford. "If Damian decides to leave Salford we don't believe we are his preferred option, so we will concentrate on other options now," said the Widnes coach, Neil Kelly.

Salford have confirmed their first signing since being relegated from Super League, with the recruitment of the Featherstone Rovers' second-rower, Neil Lowe. He will take one of the 22 full-time squad places that the club has budgeted for next season, but Salford could lose their heavyweight prop, Neil Baynes, who has had talks with Wakefield.

Workington Town will be without their winger, Neil Frazer, for the National League One play-off final tomorrow. He needs a knee operation and will be replaced by the 20-year-old Matt Johnson.

Dewsbury will have two props, Jim Leathem and Frank Watene, returning from suspension for the match, which precedes the NFP Grand Final between Huddersfield and Leigh and will decide which side goes into the top division when the NFP splits next year.

The former Leeds forward David Barnhill has been named as assistant to Nathan Brown, the newly appointed coach of the Australian club St George-Illawarra.