Dewsbury announce signing of Ben Blackmore

Dewsbury have announced the signing of winger Ben Blackmore for the rest of the 2022 season.

He has most recently been playing for Featherstone in the Championship. In May last year, he was handed a 10-week ban by the RFL.

Banned: Featherstone winger Ben Blackmore banned for 10 weeks

That was his second spell at Featherstone. He has also represented Sheffield, Batley, Doncaster, Huddersfield and Castleford in a 10-year career.

On the signing, Head Coach Lee Greenwood told the club website: “He’s a good signing for us, we’ve been after proven Championship or above quality players, so any time somebody comes up we try and act if they tick all the boxes which Ben does.

“Whenever I’ve watched him as an opposition coach, he’s always been a handful, a real strong player who scores plenty of tries.

He’s 29 so he’s in his prime and he can add an experienced voice in the dressing room. Unfortunately, he’s had no pre-season, so whilst he’s looked after himself it’s going to take him a few games to get up to speed.”

Dewsbury full-back announces return to Halifax

Halifax Panthers have announced the signing of full-back Joe Martin for the 2022 season following a successful trial with the club.

Martin, 26, returns to the club for his second stint, having previously spent four seasons with Halifax between 2014-18.

During the off-season, he was brought in by Panthers head coach Simon Grix to bolster his options at the back. With the injury to first choice full-back James Woodburn-Hall, Martin has made three appearances so far this year. 

He was most recently with Dewsbury, and has also appeared for Oldham.