Oldham aim to have sting in the tail

TONY BENSON . . . must shuffle his pack.

ROUGHYEDS coach Tony Benson reckons his team's hammering at Hull FC won't have an adverse effect on confidence.

An 82-0 drubbing in the Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round was a harsh lesson for a virtual reserves side put out by Oldham as a result of a catalogue of injuries, suspensions and players being unavailable.

This weekend, the squad faces a long trip to face South Wales Scorpions in Co-operative Championship One.

And though he has tried to bring in new faces to supplement a creaking first-team squad — latest injury victim John Gillam hurt a foot at the KC Stadium — Benson will travel with what he has got, chasing down a fifth league victory of the season.

"It was good experience for a lot of players and a good rest for those who didn't play," said Benson of his side's clash with Super League opposition.

"We virtually put out a reserves side — though in hindsight, I wish I had fielded one more reserve to spare John Gillam his injury.

"It has been a struggle all year simply keeping players out on the field.

"We are always looking for people to come in from outside the club, but there isn't an awful lot out there at the moment.

"What we are looking for is someone to come in as a back-up, which makes it even more difficult."

South Wales Scorpions could hand a debut to former York and Rochdale back-row forward Chris Clough against Oldham.

Clough watched their 46-26 home defeat against Keighley two weeks ago and is now set to be included for a fixture which takes place at Caerphilly RUFC's home ground of Virginia Park, which is being used while the club's regular Neath haunt of The Gnoll has its pitch re-seeded.

Also set to play is Paul Raftery, the forward who had a brief spell with Oldham's reserves last season.

Hooker Steve Parry will be a danger around the rucks, while new player-coach Aled James will aim to guide his side to victory from the base of the scrum.

The Scorpions enjoyed a weekend free of match action after exiting the Challenge Cup at the third-round stage, through a 62-6 home defeat to Dewsbury.

They have lost three out of their last four league games, the only victory in that sequence a 20-18 home win over London Skolars.

"They have been on the road a lot and have had to play against some sides near the top of the table," said Benson of Sunday's opponents.

"They have also added in Loz Wildbore, Chris Clough, Paul Raftery and Semisi Cocker in recent weeks so they have strengthened their side as well."