Oldham tipped to exit Cup at first round stage

OLDHAM will struggle to make it through the initial stage of the Northern Rail Cup, according to the bookmakers.

Tony Benson’s men have been put down as fifth favourites to come top of their initial pool, from which only four sides will qualify for the quarter-finals.

Halifax are favourites to top Oldham’s pool, with Widnes and Sheffield — both sides that Benson’s side come up against — just behind, ahead of Keighley.

Last season, the Roughyeds got to the last eight after beating Whitehaven in the first knockout round, but lost 24-16 at National League One side Batley.

In terms of overall odds of claiming the trophy in 2009, the Roughyeds are rated as a worse chance than nine other clubs.

Northern Rail Cup, to top pool one: Halifax 2-1, Widnes 2-1, Sheffield 9-2, Keighley 6-1, Oldham 10-1, Gateshead 14-1, Barrow 16-1, Rochdale 40-1, Blackpool 66-1, Hunslet 100-1.

Northern Rail Cup, to win overall: Halifax 3-1, Widnes 3-1, Leigh 5-1, Whitehaven 6-1, Featherstone 8-1, Sheffield 8-1, Batley 14-1, Doncaster 20-1, Keighley 20-1, Oldham 25-1, Barrow 25-1, Swinton 33-1, Gateshead 50-1, Rochdale 66-1, Dewsbury 80-1, York 80-1, Blackpool 100-1, Workington 100-1, Hunslet 500-1, London Skolars 500-1 (all odds from Skybet).

Competition winner to get five-star treatment

LUCKY Roughyeds fan Stephen Slater can’t wait for February 8 — the day he and his friends will be wined and dined in style at the start of a brand new rugby league season.

Stephen, a 57-year-old production engineer from Chadderton, won the draw in which the club’s 2009 season-ticket holders had a chance to pick up a fabulous prize surrounding Oldham’s first competitive game of the new season against derby rivals Rochdale Hornets at Boundary Park.

Roughyeds head coach Tony Benson pulled Stephen’s name out of the hat and that entitled him and seven guests to receive VIP treatment from the club and two of its commercial partners, Lady Jayne Limousines of Royton and Mario’s Pizzeria, Yorkshire Street, Oldham.

Stephen and friends will be taken in a limo to Boundary Park for the Northern Rail Cup derby clash with Rochdale Hornets, where they will have access to the vice-presidents’ lounge before and after the game.

Later, the limo will take them to Mario’s where they will round off the day with a meal.