Patrick Rich
Encyclopedia
Patrick Rich is an English
former semi-professional rugby league
player who represented Oldham Roughyeds RLFC
in the Northern Ford Premiership (later National League One in the National Leagues
).
in the North-East of England, outside of the sport's traditional heartland. He played stand off for the club who had some success as a junior side in the early 90s dominating the other junior teams in the North East and also having successful forays against Yorkshire
teams. He began his senior professional career as loose forward at Keighley Cougars
, Pat subsequently moved to Oldham where his biggest impact came during the 2001 season and, in particular, his contribution with the boot which helped his side to the Northern Ford Premiership semi-final win 39-32 over Rochdale Hornets
when he kicked nine out of nine goal attempts. Sadly his trademark accuracy deserted him in the Grand Final and he was unable to secure the points needed with Neil Kelly's Widnes Vikings
running out victors 24-12.
During his first spell at Oldham, Pat was the club's most consistent goal kicker since the 1960s. At various times he held a number of club records including, goals in a season (146, 2000 to 2001) goals in a career (303, 1999 to 2004) and points in a career (682, 1999 to 2004). After a short period at Oldham, Pat left the North Western
club to pursue a career in the law
. Although he returned for brief spells with Sheffield Eagles
, London Skolars
and finally Oldham for some 14 games in 2004, he no longer plays competitive football
. Rich's seven-year long record for points scored for Roughyeds in a single season (320) was eventually beaten by Mick Nanyn
(362) in 2008. In 79 appearances (2 as substitute) he scored 682 points (303 goals and 19 tries).Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust - Player Stats
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former semi-professional rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player who represented Oldham Roughyeds RLFC
Oldham Roughyeds
Oldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895....
in the Northern Ford Premiership (later National League One in the National Leagues
Rugby League National Leagues
The Championship, known as Co-operative Championship due to sponsorship by The Co-operative Group, is a professional rugby league competition based in the United Kingdom. It is currently contested by ten teams from England. It acts as Europe's second-tier competition below the Super League, and has...
).
Playing career
Started his career as an amateur playing for Durham Tigers RLFCDurham Tigers
Durham Tigers are a rugby league club based in Sunnydale Leisure Centre, Shildon, County Durham in the North East of England. They originally played in the city of Durham...
in the North-East of England, outside of the sport's traditional heartland. He played stand off for the club who had some success as a junior side in the early 90s dominating the other junior teams in the North East and also having successful forays against Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
teams. He began his senior professional career as loose forward at Keighley Cougars
Keighley Cougars
Keighley Cougars are a professional rugby league club from Keighley in West Yorkshire, England. As of 2012 they will play in Co-operative Championship having won the Co-operative Championship 1 play off final 32-12 against Workington...
, Pat subsequently moved to Oldham where his biggest impact came during the 2001 season and, in particular, his contribution with the boot which helped his side to the Northern Ford Premiership semi-final win 39-32 over Rochdale Hornets
Rochdale Hornets
Rochdale Hornets RLFC is an English professional rugby league club from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. They currently play in Championship One...
when he kicked nine out of nine goal attempts. Sadly his trademark accuracy deserted him in the Grand Final and he was unable to secure the points needed with Neil Kelly's Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
running out victors 24-12.
During his first spell at Oldham, Pat was the club's most consistent goal kicker since the 1960s. At various times he held a number of club records including, goals in a season (146, 2000 to 2001) goals in a career (303, 1999 to 2004) and points in a career (682, 1999 to 2004). After a short period at Oldham, Pat left the North Western
North West England
North West England, informally known as The North West, is one of the nine official regions of England.North West England had a 2006 estimated population of 6,853,201 the third most populated region after London and the South East...
club to pursue a career in the law
English law
English law is the legal system of England and Wales, and is the basis of common law legal systems used in most Commonwealth countries and the United States except Louisiana...
. Although he returned for brief spells with Sheffield Eagles
Sheffield Eagles
Sheffield Eagles RLFC are an English rugby league club based in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Their home games are played at Bramall Lane after leaving Don Valley Stadium in late 2009....
, London Skolars
London Skolars
London Skolars are a rugby league club based at the New River Stadium, Wood Green, Haringey in North London. They were founded in 1995 and have been semi-professional since 2003, operating in Championship One...
and finally Oldham for some 14 games in 2004, he no longer plays competitive football
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
. Rich's seven-year long record for points scored for Roughyeds in a single season (320) was eventually beaten by Mick Nanyn
Mick Nanyn
Mick Nanyn is an English rugby league player. Nanyn's usual position is centre. He is a specialist goal-kicker.Nanyn plays for Leigh, on a loan deal from Harlequins RL in Super League. He also plays for Scotland....
(362) in 2008. In 79 appearances (2 as substitute) he scored 682 points (303 goals and 19 tries).Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust - Player Stats