Gillam doubt for Roughyeds test

Marcus St Hilaire: Standing by for a Roughyeds call-up

WINGER John Gillam is the biggest doubt for Oldham Roughyeds as the squad prepares for a tough test at Hunslet Hawks on Sunday.

Coach Tony Benson is expected to keep faith with the side which helped defeat Hornets RL 22-14 in the Northern Rail Cup on Monday night, with Marcus St Hilaire a likely replacement on the left wing should Gillam fail a fitness test on a sore shoulder. Utility back Mark Brocklehurst has also been added to the squad.

Stand-off Neil Roden escaped a ban when his ‘on report’ case went before the RFL’s disciplinary committee this week, a major boost for Benson who is still without Valu Bentley (hamstring), Paul Reilly (building his fitness) and Craig Robinson (broken nose).

Paul O’Connor (thumb), Matty Ashe (calf muscle) and Lucas Onyango (knee) are all expected to be cleared for the Roughyeds’ third pool game in the competition against a highly-fancied Hawks team featuring the March twins David and player-coach Paul and former Featherstone loose forward Tommy Haughey. The club’s latest signing played a key role as London Skolars were put to the sword 60-12 in the capital last weekend.

Meanwhile, Benson has issued his squad numbers for the season and hard-working Scott Mansfield — outstanding in the Roughyeds’ Law Cup defeat to Hornets RL in pre-season — has forced his way into the coach’s plans.

The young loose forward, who played his junior rugby with Saddleworth Rangers, will take the number 25 shirt and is one of three players who have progressed to the first-team ranks from the reserves, alongside Ben Heaton and Chris Clarke.

Ten young players, including Michael Ward, Ben Marsden, Jacob Kinney and Londoner Jack Graves, failed to make the cut but Benson has left room for more to be promoted during the season.

“Ben Heaton worked his way up last season and there will be others trying to do the same in the coming months,” Benson said.

“Squad numbers are not awarded lightly. They have to be earned. The players who have not got a number in this initial 25 realise that and they will be working hard to get one.”

Squad numbers: 1. Paul O’Connor; 2. Lucas Onyango; 3. Craig Littler; 4. Mick Fogerty; 5. John Gillam; 6. Neil Roden; 7. Matty Ashe; 8. Jason Boults; 9. Martin Roden; 10. Dave Ellison; 11. Saqib Murtza; 12. Kashley Watkins; 13. Joe Chandler; 14. Gary Sykes; 15. Craig Robinson; 16. Wayne Kerr; 17. Danny Whitmore; 18. Chris Clarke; 19. Ben Heaton; 20. Mark Brocklehurst; 21. Valu Bentley; 22. Paul Reilly; 23. Ben Mellor; 24. Marcus St Hilaire; 25. Scott Mansfield.