Case for the defence

FORMER London Skolars coach Tony Benson heads back to his old club tomorrow for a game in which the focus will be on the Roughyeds’ defence.

Having conceded over 30 points in four of the last six matches, Benson and his coaching staff were concentrating this week on finding ways to minimise the number of points added to the ‘against’ column in the Co-operative Championship One table.

Currently, only Workington and the Skolars themselves have conceded more than Oldham this season.

While Benson is looking forward to renewing old acquaintances in the capital, he won’t allow sentiment to get in the way of what needs to be a professional job from his side.

“I’ve seen their last three games and I’m interested in how they’re progressing,” Benson said.

“It will be good to get back there, but the focus for the club is improving on what we did last week.”

While the Roughyeds were busy defeating Swinton at Boundary Park, London Skolars were going down to a 46-8 defeat at Rochdale - their fifth in a row.

Final checks will be made today on the fitness of a number of Oldham players before the side travels down early in the morning for a game which starts at 3pm.

Oldham (from): O’Connor, Ballard, Halliwell, Reilly, St Hilaire, Greenwood, Onyango, J Coyle, T Coyle, Roden, Highton, Gibbons, Sykes, Menzies, I’Anson, Kerr, Allen, Baines, Robinson, Goulden, Roberts.

Oldham’s reserves take on Leigh at Sedgley Park tonight 7.30pm kick off).

Team (from): Clarke, Eyres, Heaton, Hinsley, Boults, J Knight, Coates, Mansfield, Littler, Barraclough, Durkin, Orwell, Smith, Sutton, Ward, O’Brien, Moores, Clegg, Foy.