Benson looking for bold show

LUCAS ONYANGO: Cleared to play against Swinton.

ROUGHYEDS PREVIEW: TONY BENSON is backing his men to give Swinton a stern examination of their credentials.

Oldham revisit Sedgley Park RUFC on Sunday (3pm kick-off) for the first game of the new Co-operative Championship One season in good spirits following a positive show in the narrow 24-22 loss to Sheffield Eagles on Monday night at the same venue.

This weekend the Roughyeds will be in the ‘visitors’ rather than the ‘home’ dressing room at the Whitefield ground against a Lions side likely to include seasoned competitors like former Oldham stars Gavin Dodd and Ian Watson, plus ex-Huddersfield forward and now player-coach Paul Smith.

“They have snapped up a lot of good, experienced players and probably have the strongest halves pairing in the competition,” said Benson, referring to the Graham Holroyd-Watson axis.

“They also possess big forwards and plenty of pace out wide.

“It doesn’t worry us though. We are confident and are just focusing on what we have to do.”

Like Oldham, Swinton exited the Northern Rail Cup in the pool stage but managed two, as opposed to one, wins in their four matches.

The most impressive of those victories was the 19-18 midweek triumph away at resurgent Workington, in which Dodd — playing at full-back — scored a try and kicked three goals.

As for Benson, he declared himself happy with the verdict which saw Lucas Onyango cleared of a dangerous throw by the RFL disciplinary committee this week.

“We all felt he wouldn’t get a suspension and it is good news for us,” said Benson, referring to the bizarre incident at Hunslet where the Roughyeds winger was initially shown a red card before it was rescinded by referee Craig Halloran and the tackle instead simply placed on report.

“Lucas has been slowly warming himself up for the season and he turned the corner on Monday for us.

“When he is full flow Lucas is such an exciting player for us. And the good thing was that (fellow winger) John Gillam is not far off being fit so that is pushing Lucas even harder.”

In the released betting odds for the 2010 league season, Hunslet Hawks are favourites to gain the sole automatic promotion spot in Championship One with York City Knights close behind.

Latest odds (from Bet365): Hunslet 11-8, York 11-4, Blackpool 9-2, Oldham 13-2, Swinton 15-2, Workington 20-1, South Wales 33-1, Hornets RL 33-1, Doncaster 50-1, Gateshead 80-1, London Skolars 125-1.


Fixtures

Tonight (all 8pm) — Engage Super League: Hull FC v Harlequins (TV); Salford v Bradford; St Helens v Wakefield; Wigan v Catalans.

Saturday — Engage Super League: Castleford v Hull KR (6.15pm, TV).

The Co-operative Championship: Toulouse v Dewsbury (7pm).

National Conference League, division two: Waterhead v Oldham St Anne’s (2.30pm).

North-West Counties League, division one: Wigan St Patrick’s v Oldham St Anne’s ‘A’. Division four: Higginshaw v Irlam Hornets. Division five: Rochdale Cobras v Hindley.

Pennine League, division four: Hollinwood v Keighley Albion ‘A’.

Sunday (3pm unless stated) — Gillette Fusion World Club Challenge: Leeds v Melbourne (6.30pm, TV).

Engage Super League: Huddersfield v Warrington.

The Co-operative Championship: Featherstone v Batley; Halifax v Sheffield; Widnes v Keighley.

The Co-operative Championship One: Hunslet v Gateshead; Hornets RL v Doncaster; South Wales v Workington; SWINTON v OLDHAM; York v London Skolars.