Lewis Palfrey makes Oldham move

Oldham have signed former Whitehaven and Batley utility back Lewis Palfrey on a one-year deal.

Palfrey, 22, previously played under Roughyeds coach Scott Naylor for Salford’s academy and reserves, and moves to the Whitebank Stadium having abandoned plans to move to Australia.

He said: “I spoke to Scott (Naylor) soon after he got the Oldham job. I had agreed to play in Australia, but personal circumstances changed all that and as soon as I knew my Aussie trip was off the first thing I did was to ring Scott again. After that, things moved quickly.

“I relished the prospects of playing again for Scott and Spanner (Spencer), who did a fantastic job with Salford’s under-20s last year.

“I still have a lot to learn and I know I’ll benefit enormously from being coached by those two.”

The full-back or stand-off has landed a part-time job working for new Oldham assistant coach Lee Spencer, who runs a local fireplace-fitting business.

Palfrey scored three tries and eight goals in 19 appearances for Whitehaven and Batley in 2012.