Benson defends selection process

DEFEAT at home to Dewsbury hasn’t dimmed the fighting spirit of Tony Benson.

The Roughyeds coach will tonight begin the process of getting his side ready for the visit of Swinton to Boundary Park on Sunday, the second successive week in which Oldham square up to an unbeaten outfit.

While Benson has spent the time since that 36-12 Rams loss studying video footage to find out where things went wrong, he argues against the notion that the squad selection for the game — in particular, the absence of bustling props Wayne Kerr and Jamie I’Anson, both of whom were instead chosen for a reserves run-out against Hunslet — was found wanting.

“After a game like that you always reflect and look at what you could have done differently,” said Benson.

“But there wasn’t an awful lot of choice in the make-up of the bench, with injuries and the reserves side playing their part. Then we had Paul Reilly and Neil Roden pull out at a late stage, so it was difficult for us.

“There was the possibility earlier in the week of selecting Wayne Kerr and Jamie I’Anson but at the same time, they have frailties which wouldn’t have suited the game.

“Their form hasn’t been what it was and it is something we have been working on. In the reserves game, Wayne got to the try line well (scoring a hat-trick) and Jamie looked like he had gained the enthusiasm we needed him to.

“If you look at the side that played against Dewsbury, Craig Robinson and Richard Mervill contributed a lot and Paul Highton came back in and did well. He was my man-of-the-match on the day.

“There was also the return of Tommy Goulden, who I had to fit in somewhere.

“Looking ahead, every game from now on will be tough for us and we view Swinton as another different challenge.

“It is a case of getting ourselves back in a positive frame of mind and ready for it.”