Benson hoping for cup fitness boost

ROUGHYEDS coach Tony Benson addressed his walking wounded at training last night and is hopeful that the majority of players to suffer at the hands of the London Skolars pitch will be fit to take part in the club’s last-16 Challenge Cup tie this weekend.

Oldham’s players suffered a litany of injuries during the record 78-10 win on their travels.
Danny Halliwell and Craig Robinson have ankle injuries, while Paul O’Connor, Paul Reilly, Wayne Kerr and Jamie I’Anson all suffered knee problems on an unforgiving, bumpy surface.

However, Benson believes only two among that list are serious doubts for the big quarter-finals clash with Gateshead.

“Wayne Kerr and Craig Robinson are unlikely to play,” said Benson, who holds two more training sessions tomorrow night and on Friday before the game.

“Wayne only lasted around four minutes of the game with a knee problem and Craig has hurt his ankle.”

Lee Greenwood, who didn’t make the Skolars trip, has a knee problem which will be checked on later this week and it is a similar tale with the hamstring injury which affected Marcus St Hilaire late on in the capital.

While Phil Joseph won’t play this weekend, there is good news on the condition of the former Swinton and Hull KR man.

“He will still be out for a while, but his condition is improving and it is highly unlikely he has a hernia,” Benson added.

The Gateshead game is the first ever rugby league fixture to be held at the Darlington Arena and is being played out this Saturday (3pm).