Hull's double dealing

Rugby League

The First Division leaders, Hull, have continued their team-strengthening by signing Jason Laurence from Salford and Paul Crook from Oldham.

Laurence, an Australian full-back who has played for Nottingham, Huddersfield and York, has been released by Salford following the club record signing of Gary Broadbent and has joined Hull on a free transfer.

Crook, a utility player who made 13 Super League appearances for Oldham last season, cost pounds 10,000.

The former Hull loose forward Dean Busby has been transfer-listed by St Helens at pounds 75,000. Busby was an pounds 80,000 signing in August 1985, but has been hampered by injury over the past year.

John Joyner, who recently resigned as coach at Castleford, is being linked with the vacant job at Featherstone Rovers. David Ward stepped down as Featherstone coach at the weekend and the club say that it could be two weeks before a new appointment is made.