Benson eyes third pre-season game

OLDHAM Roughyeds will play two pre-season games at the Whitebank Stadium — against Rochdale for the Law Cup on Sunday, January 2 (3pm) and against Whitehaven for the SEAT Cup on Sunday, January 23 (3pm).

Coach Tony Benson is keen to have a third game sandwiched between these two.

Talks are at an advanced stage with prospective opponents for what will most likely be an away friendly.

The Roughyeds have not played a Law Cup game at home for years, while the two previous SEAT Cup games against Whitehaven were both staged at the Recreation Ground.

The first, played on December 28, 2003, ended in victory for Whitehaven, 18-4, with Oldham’s try coming from Neil Roden, one of seven substitutes.

Last year’s game at the Recreation Ground, doubling up as Howard Hill’s testimonial, again ended in a Whitehaven win.

Said Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton: “We are not used to having pre-season games on home soil.

“It will be a nice change to entertain both Rochdale and Whitehaven on our own territory at Whitebank.”