Benson in call for cool heads

BEN Heaton was sent to the sin-bin on two occasions against Hunslet Hawks in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup.

ROUGHYEDS coach Tony Benson hopes that his team can learn lessons from the Carnegie Challenge Cup round four defeat at Hunslet.

Oldham went down to a 42-12 defeat at the South Leeds Stadium in an ill-disciplined show against the side currently top of Co-operative Championship One.

Ben Heaton had two separate spells in the sin-bin for indiscretions and Mick Fogerty was sent off as the visitors fell off their game plan.

And with an important league match coming up tomorrow against Gateshead Thunder at Sedgley Park (7.30pm kick-off), Benson wants his side to show a similar fighting spirit, only this time directed more effectively.

“There are two ways you can look at the Hunslet game,” said Benson, whose team boasts a 100-per-cent league record so far with five wins from five games played.

“On the one hand, to find ourselves 16-12 down with only 12 minutes to go, after conceding so many penalties and having two sin-bins, was a good effort.

“Particularly when you also take into account the fact that for much of the game, we were completing less than half of our sets.

“On the negative side, looking at the game again on DVD the penalties we conceded weren’t all correctly awarded but there were a fair few that were pretty dumb.

“I don’t think we will find ourselves coming under so much intense pressure again this season.”

Gateshead started the season minus six points following the financial drama which began with the loss of main backer Steve Gartside and was followed up with the new club being demoted, Leigh Centurions taking their place in the Championship.

Now a community club, Thunder have lost most of their big-name players and are in a rebuilding phase under coach Chris Hood and new assistant, Ireland boss Andy Kelly.

However, Benson feels there are signs that the club from the north-east are on their way back, particularly given the narrow 32-28 loss at home to Doncaster two weeks ago.

“They pushed them to the wire,” said Benson on that clash.

“Gateshead had a slow start due to injuries but they have brought in some new payers and have improved rapidly.

“But to be honest, we are going to focus on ourselves. We will look towards our discipline and try to get another win on the board.”