Benson warms to his task

TONY BENSON . . . thorough.

OLDHAM RL boss Tony Benson wants two more warm-up games in addition to the Law Cup clash with derby rivals Rochdale Hornets.

Hornets come to the Whitebank Stadium on Sunday, January 2 (3pm), but that is the only pre-season game the Roughyeds have got pencilled in at the moment.

"I'm hoping it will be the first of three," said Benson.

"Such games are an essential part of planning and preparing for the season. You've got to get your preparation right – it's a must."

Roughyeds had considered entertaining a Super League club at Whitebank as a big event to officially declare the ground open as the club's new home, but it remains to be seen whether that will happen.

Either way, Benson has already consigned last season to the record books and he will start his 2011 build-up with a new squad.

New signings include vastly-experienced forward Andy Isherwood and three young players brought up and developed by Super League clubs in prop Liam Gilchrist (St Helens), back-rower Ben Wood (Salford City Reds) and centre Jack Bradbury (St Helens).

Benson’s team to take on Hornets will be broadly based on what he has seen in pre-season training, which starts in earnest at a judo club in Rochdale on Saturday.

"The squad is coming together nicely. We have signed quality and I would like to think we'll be announcing more signings soon,” he said.