Benson’s anxious wait on Roden

Neil Roden: fight for fitness

Stand-off facing fitness fight

ROUGHYEDS coach Tony Benson is crossing his fingers that talismanic stand-off Neil Roden will be fit to play against Hunslet Hawks.

The 29-year-old was missing for a second game running as Oldham secured a first victory at their Whitebank Stadium home, defeating London Skolars 46-12.

Roden’s broken toe is still causing him discomfort and resulted in Benson once again pairing up hooker Danny Whitmore with Matty Ashe in the halves.

But his possible return for the big home game against third-placed Hunslet would give the Roughyeds a huge boost as they bid to remain ahead of the pack at the top of Co-operative Championship One.

“He is walking on it now, so that is a start,” said Benson, following an eighth win in nine league games. “So we are still hopeful for this week.

“It is not something that happens overnight, but there was a big improvement on last week.”

One other option at half-back or hooker is Dean Hatton.

The former Widnes and Hornets RL player — who starred against Oldham for the latter club in a Law Cup clash early this year — was 18th man against Skolars after overcoming injury problems which have prevented him from being involved with the first team thus far.

“Dean trained with us during the week, just as a back-up because if we have a problem at hooker or in the halves, at the moment there is nobody else,” added Benson.

“He has been injured and has then had one game for the reserves. So it was time to bring him in to learn how we play and practice that a little bit.

“He has had a week of it now and may need a bit longer but there is an option there.”

Oldham’s coach could have problems up front this Sunday, with Luke Sutton’s tight calf leading to him pulling out of the Skolars clash at training on Thursday.

And fellow prop forward Wayne Kerr goes in front of an RFL disciplinary committee tonight charged with a grade ‘B’ offence as a result of his red card for a high tackle against York.

If Kerr is found guilty, he will face a one or two-game ban.


BLACKPOOL Panthers moved into second place in Championship One as a result of a massive 132-0 battering of a depleted Gateshead Thunder side.

Martin Crompton’s men scored 22 tries, every single one of which was converted by Tom Hemingway, to go close to the record 142-4 victory Huddersfield managed over Blackpool Gladiators in 1994.