Benson’s sights set on Leigh

WITH a clean bill of health after the Huddersfield Giants test, Roughyeds coach Tony Benson is likely to bring in a number of experienced men for the upcoming trip to Leigh.

Only Craig Littler (calf) suffered any kind of adverse reaction during the squad’s first pre-season game, won 28-12 by Oldham at Boundary Park, though the centre’s condition isn’t presenting too much concern.

“We were lucky — very lucky actually, as it was a physical game,” said Benson, who pronounced himself pleased with the team’s work-out.

The squad will now switch its attentions towards the game against Co-operative Championship side Leigh, which takes place on Sunday at the new Leigh Sports Village Stadium.

Into the reckoning for a spot in the line-up will come the likes of captain Rob Roberts, Marcus St Hilaire, Richard Mervill and Paul Highton, though in the case of the latter two front row men fitness could be an issue.

Mervill missed the Giants game with a knee problem which is said to be responding well to treatment, while Highton wasn’t adjudged to be ready for action quite yet following wrist surgery.

Meanwhile, Oldham’s scheduled first opponents in the Northern Rail Cup, local rivals Rochdale, are set for a court date after going into administration.

Potential owners are expected to come forward in order to form a new club after the hearing. Though time is running out, with the game against the Roughyeds down as taking place at Boundary Park on Sunday, February 8, officials are confident that matters will be settled by then.

*TICKETS for the Leigh game go on sale today from 9am at the Roughyeds offices on Lansdowne Road.