Benson outlines case for defence

STOP THERE . . . Jason Boults is in the Oldham squad to face Halifax at The Shay on Sunday.

DEFENCE is the best form of attack for Oldham Roughyeds at Halifax on Sunday (3pm kick-off).

That is according to coach Tony Benson, who is plotting a second Championship scalp in succession in the Northern Rail Cup.

Hunslet were defeated 28-22 by an impressive young Roughyeds line-up at the Whitebank Stadium last week.

While last season’s grand final winners Halifax — complete with 34-year-old Graham Holroyd, back on the playing roster again after stepping out of retirement — promise to provide a tougher examination, Benson hopes his side can cope with whatever is thrown at them at The Shay.

“That (Hunslet) win was a good sign, and there have been good signs all through pre-season,” said the Oldham coach, now in his third season with the club.

“We went up another level on Sunday.

“We’re not going to get more of a physical match than that. We had to be quite smart and technical and we stuck to that well.

“We’ve got a pretty good defence as it is, but we’ve a few areas we can fine tune.

“A couple of tries Hunslet’s tries last week were scored from kicks, so we need to be better at defending those, because Halifax are the kind of team where if you can contain them, then you’ve got a good chance.”

Halifax coach Matt Calland will assess the fitness of Makali Aizue (knee), Michael Ostick (knee) and Neil Cherryholme (groin) before naming his side for the Pool Two game.

The West Yorkshire outfit kicked off their campaign by claiming a narrow 28-22 victory at Oldham’s Championship One rivals Swinton Lions.

Centre Lee Paterson scored two tries, but the performance was rusty and Calland will be seeking better from his side on home soil.

Winger Rob Worrincy has indicated just how strong the ‘’Fax squad is by revealing that he feels under pressure to keep his place in the side.

“That’s my biggest worry,” said the 24-year-old speedster.

“James Haley is playing well, Paul White is back on form and Lee Paterson is always an option for the wing.”