Benson shrugs off injury problems

DAVE ELLISON . . . confidence in Roughyeds squad

DESPITE an injury pile-up, Oldham RL boss Tony Benson and his players believe the squad is ready to progress to bigger and better things, starting with the visit of Doncaster to Whitebank on Sunday (3pm).

Kiwi Benson, brought up on New Zealand rugby's strict one-game-a-week philosophy, says it is "crazy" to expect part-time players to put their bodies on the line twice in four days, as the Roughyeds were called upon to do over Easter.

They buried Rochdale 38-6 at Whitebank on Good Friday, but they paid a price with injuries and had to go to Whitehaven on Monday without Andy Isherwood, Chris Clarke, Marcus St Hilaire and Matthew Fogarty.

Others took on the Cumbrians nursing knocks and Benson was forced to play two different centres, Mark Brocklehurst and Jack Bradbury, and a new second-row in Ben Wood and Paul Noone.

"Those were massive changes," he said, "and because of the quick turnaround we had little opportunity to practice, so it was hardly surprising that we were caught out a bit on the fringes. The changes put a huge strain on everybody."

Wood was badly shaken in a first-half collision and took no further part, but Oldham were still in the game at 24-18 early in the second half before losing 40-24.

Added Benson: "I've never known so many injuries coming all at once – we picked up more at Whitehaven – but we showed against Rochdale that we were moving in the right direction and because of all the things I've outlined I certainly don't think we should panic because of what happened at Whitehaven.

"We are certainly capable of playing like we did against Rochdale on a regular basis, and that's the goal – to aim consistently for that standard.

"I can't name a side until nearer game-day because a lot of players need checking out, but you can be assured that we will be up for it and ready for the challenge."

In-form prop Dave Ellison, the stand-out forward in both Easter games, also takes the view that Roughyeds are ready to start climbing the table.

"If we stick together as a squad and continue to work hard we'll be there or thereabouts come the end of the season," he said. "Swinton have got off to a flying start, but it will be interesting to see if they can maintain it."

Unlike Oldham, Doncaster played only once last weekend, picking up a bonus point in a narrow defeat by league leaders Swinton.

"They have recruited heavily this year," said Benson, "and they are a very strong team.

"We couldn't do much on Tuesday because the physio was working overtime on injuries, but we have two more sessions planned before weekend and, come Sunday, we'll be ready."

Roughyeds will be going for their third home win in a row, having beaten London Skolars 52-26 and Rochdale Hornets 38-6 in their last two outings, scoring 17 tries in the process.