Roughyeds in high spirits

IMPROVING Roughyeds head into their second Hunslet test of the season tonight in confident mood.

The heavy defeat of Welsh amateurs Blackwood Bulldogs 80–6 in the third round of the Challenge Cup last week followed up a pair of excellent efforts at the club’s temporary ‘home’ of Sedgley Park RUFC.

First, Tony Benson’s side went so close to defeating Championship club Sheffield before going down to a 24–22 defeat in the Northern Rail Cup.

And Benson’s boys brushed off that disappointment to comfortably see off Swinton 38-20 in an ‘away’ game, the opening Championship One match of the new season.

Hopes are high that the club is in for a good season on the pitch.

Home-town players like Mick Fogerty and Mark Brocklehurst have shone — though the latter sits out this game at the South Leeds Stadium (8pm kick-off) after picking up a one-game ban — while in the second row, hard-running Joe Chandler looks like taking the division by storm after signing from Leeds.

The arrival of two familiar faces this week only add to the sense that the club is back on the upswing after a period of off-field turbulence.

Ian Hodson is back to stiffen an inexperienced back row, while popular prop forward Jamie I’Anson has added steel to a pack that already boasts a hefty clout given the impact made this season by the likes of Wayne Kerr and Dave Ellison.

After losing 28-14 to the Hawks in the Northern Rail Cup earlier this season, Benson knows exactly what Hunslet are about.

The Roughyeds coach was disappointed to feel defeat that day and despite the Hawks’ status as favourites for the title will fancy his chances of turning the tables on the home team.

Hunslet, who won 30-14 at Leigh East last week to make round four of the Challenge Cup, have added yet another new face to their squad with the arrival of winger Waine Pryce.

The former Castleford and Wakefield flyer has over 100 Super League appearances to his name and arrives at the club having spent last season with Featherstone.




Tonight — Engage Super League (all 8pm): Hull KR v Wakefield (TV); St Helens v Crusaders; Wigan v Hull FC.



The Co-operative Championship One: Blackpool v Hornets RL; HUNSLET v OLDHAM.

Saturday — Engage Super League: Catalans v Castleford (6.30pm); Warrington v Bradford (5.30pm, TV).

The Co-operative Championship One: Whitehaven v Toulouse (6pm).

National Conference League, division one: West Bowling v Saddleworth Rangers (2.30pm). Division two: Castleford Lock Lane v Waterhead (2.30pm); Oldham St Anne's v Shaw Cross Sharks.

North-West Counties League, division one: Albert Park v Oldham St Anne's 'A'. Division three: Saddleworth Rangers 'A' v Heysham Atoms. Division four: Higginshaw v Eccles. Division five: Rochdale Cobras v Eccleston Lions; Waterhead 'A' v Bury Broncos.

Pennine League, division four: Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks v Hollinwood.

Sunday (3pm unless stated) — Engage Super League: Harlequins v Salford (2pm); Huddersfield v Leeds.

The Co-operative Championship: Dewsbury v Featherstone; Keighley v Leigh; Sheffield v Widnes.

The Co-operative Championship One: Doncaster v South Wales; London Skolars v Swinton; Workington v York.