In at the deep end
Date published: 06 May 2011
Hull challenge for Oldham’s young guns
TORN apart by injury and suspension, Oldham RL Club will play Super League giants Hull FC in tomorrow's fourth-round Carnegie Challenge Cup tie at the KC Stadium (1pm kick off) without 10 of their most experienced players.
Among the replacements are full-back Steven Nield and stand-off Jamie Dallimore, both stepping up from the reserves for the first time, and back-row forward Michael Ward, who made his senior debut in last Sunday’s 46-24 win against Doncaster.
“It will be a fantastic opportunity for a lot of our young players and every one of them will be intent on walking off the KC Stadium at the end of the tie with head held high.” said coach Tony Benson,
“Nield and Dallimore have been playing well in the reserves, while Ward did exceptionally well in his first taste of senior rugby last Sunday.
“Winger Shaun Robinson and his centre Matthew Fogarty, who is only 18, are back after injury and are really looking forward to highlighting their first year at senior level with appearances on the big stage.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how all these young guys do, and how they adapt to playing against high-calibre opponents in a stadium like the KC. It will be huge experience for them.”
The 10 absentees include the influential Roden cousins, captain Neil and assistant coach Martin, both of whom are knocked about and in need of a break after the hectic Easter programme.
Neil has been playing with groin and foot problems for the past two weeks, while Martin has been defying shoulder and elbow injuries and has now developed an Achilles problem.
Benson added: “Neil has been no more than 60-per-cent fit in the last few games. He was really sore after the Doncaster match. It would be very unfair to expect him to front up again at Hull. The same applies to Martin.”
Senior players Marcus St Hilaire, Andy Isherwood and Lucas Onyango are also ruled out by injury, while Mark Brocklehurst and Jason Boults are suspended; on-loan Carl Forber is cup-tied; and Ben Heaton will be best man at his brother’s wedding.
New signing Mick Fogerty trained with the squad last night, but he has been out of action since the end of last season and will need time to get his fitness up to scratch.
The 19-man squad — 11 of them Oldhamers — also includes utility backs Jack Bradbury and Alistair Williams, but Roughyeds expect to line up like this:
Oldham: Nield; Robinson, Fogarty, Wood, Gillam; Dallimore, Diveney; Ellison, Clough, Gilchrist, Clarke, Noone, Bentley. Subs: Whitmore, Ward, Sutton, Stenchion.
Hull have named a strong squad, including 11 internationals, resting only Craig Fitzgibbon and Mark O’Meley.
Jack Aldous may make his debut alongside Lee Radford in one of the few changes to the side which drew with St Helens last time out.
Full-back Cameron Phelps missed that game with a hamstring injury, but he is included in the 19-strong squad and might figure.
Hull (from): Aldous, Briscoe, Dowes, Gleeson, Horne, Houghton, Lauaki, Manu, Moa, Obst, Phelps, Radford, Sharp, Tickle, Turner, Washbrook, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.
Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton said: “We think it's great that Hull have named a squad that is close to being full strength.
“It’s all about retaining the credibility of the Challenge Cup and sense of occasion. It’s a game our lads, particularly the younger ones, will remember for the rest of their lives.”
