Benson’s derby warning

GREGG McNALLY

TONY Benson is expecting a fiercely-contested derby against Hornets RL at the Whitebank Stadium on Sunday (3pm).

The Roughyeds coach knows that a minimum of a second-place finish in Co-operative Championship One is in the bag, guaranteeing a worst-case scenario of pole position in the play-offs whatever the result of the final two regular-season games.

Table-topping Hunslet Hawks have two tough matches left at Blackpool this Sunday, and then at home to a potent South Wales Scorpions side a week later.

If they drop points in both those games, the South Leeds side could leave the door open for Oldham to snatch title glory.

For now, though, Benson's men are simply concentrating on winning every match they go into.

And, having inflicted Hornets' only home defeat of the season with a 22-16 triumph back in April, the aim is to complete a double in order to lay down a play-off marker against the team currently in third place in the table.

"These fixtures are always big games," said Benson, selecting from a full squad but with the dilemma of whether or not to bring back rested on-loan scrum-half Gregg McNally in place of Matty Ashe.

"Our aim now is building a squad going into the play-offs, making sure everyone’s had plenty of game time and knowing what we’re doing.

“We made a good start last week and we want to continue that.

"Rochdale are fighting for a spot. It’s a big game for them. These local derbies remind me a lot of Test matches.

“There’s a lot more vigour in these than other games — I’m glad we’ve got two weeks to recover.

“People are playing for places coming into the play-offs.”

The Roughyeds' final match of the season before the play-offs start is at London Skolars on Friday, August 27 (6.30pm kick-off).

Each of Oldham's three league defeats this season have been at home, while Hornets have won only twice out of nine matches away from Spotland.

The visitors have a major doubt hanging over the fitness of lively hooker Phil Wood, who has a severe dead leg.

Centre Damian Reid and prop Danny Samuels are fit and in contention for a place in coach John Stankevitch's squad.

“There’s a lot at stake in terms of league position and bragging rights," said Stankevitch. “We’ve been beaten both times against Oldham this year.

“We’ve not had that element of luck against them, but we’ve seen what they can do and we’re confident we can go there and get a result.

“If we can go there and get a win then we’re one step closer to finishing in third place.

“We’ve got two tough games left — Oldham and Blackpool — but we’re really confident we can get two good results.”