It was plenty of tackling practise for us — and plenty of attacking practise for them

YOUNG debutant Jamie Dallimore tries to set up an Oldham attack.

TONY Benson felt his depleted side simply didn’t have enough of the ball to slow down the Hull juggernaut at the KC Stadium.

Oldham exited the Carnegie Challenge Cup at the round-four stage thanks to a 15-try show from Richard Agar’s in-form Super League side.

A glance at the respective line-ups before the game — the Airlie Birds were virtually at full strength, while the Roughyeds were missing 10 first-team players because of injury — indicated the size of the gargantuan task Benson’s men faced.

And after conceding five tries in the opening quarter, it was always an uphill battle.

“Obviously they are a very good side and they didn’t hold anything back, did they?” said Benson.

“We expected that. You need a little bit more ball than we had to be competitive.

“We only had 23 sets with the ball to their 46 and we gave it up early in those sets as well, so we did a lot of tackling.

“It was plenty of tackling practise for us and plenty of attacking practise for them.

“We defended courageously on our own try line on a number of occasions, dealing with repeat sets.

“I am proud of all of them, from one to 17.”

Two debutants started for Oldham, full-back Stephen Nield and stand-off Jamie Dallimore, and Benson saluted that pair, along with other inexperienced members of his side.

“There were a couple of them didn’t know they were playing until the morning of the game,” added the Roughyeds coach.

“I take my hat off to them. Scott Mansfield came in and did a fantastic job.

“Then you have the debutants and Michael Ward, who has played only one game for us, which was last week.

“The kicking game was very good at the start and we went off that which is what happens when you get put under pressure.

“I don’t think we are going to be under that much pressure in defence for the rest of the season — at least, I hope not.

“You have to be realistic in these games, especially when you are going in with so many of your first-team missing.

“To have so many guys going from the reserve team and Championship One to Super League in one week is a big jump. They did a great job considering.

“The game was played in good spirits too and we have been well looked after in Hull. It has been a fantastic experience for everybody and something the players will never forget.”