Benson thrilled by Oldham potential

TONY Benson expects Oldham RL Club to go from strength to strength thanks to the quality and quantity of players assembled at Whitebank in three separate squads.

Ahead of a three-day period in which first and second teams defend impressive home records and the under-18s go to Keighley, head coach Benson said he was excited by the club's potential.

"I'm proud of all three teams," he said, "and proud of what we are building at the club.

“While the first team is the shop window, it's highly encouraging to see so many players with real prospects coming through the reserves.

"Some of them are pushing for first-team spots, but the players who are already up there are playing so well that they are hanging on to the jerseys.

"We are moving forward as a club on three levels and a lot of the younger players can form the backbone of the club 's future."

Teenager Matthew Fogarty, out for several weeks with elbow and hand injuries, is in line to return to action for the third-placed reserves, who entertain second-placed Leigh Centurions at Whitebank tomorrow (2.30pm).

Benson's senior side have a home game against Workington Town on Sunday (3pm), having been beaten only twice all year at Whitebank.

Oldham (from): Heaton, Brocklehurst, St Hilaire, Fogarty, McCully, Robinson, N Roden, Forber, Boults, M Roden, Clough, Stenchion, Sutton, Gilchrist, Noone, Bravo, Isherwood, Casey, Ward, Bentley,

The under-18s, coached by Phil Costin, go to Keighley on Monday (8pm).


OLDHAM chairman Chris Hamilton will head a fans' forum at Whitebank on Tuesday, August 16 (7.30pm), specifically to inform fans "of the club's current ground situation".

Tickets at £4, including pie and peas supper, will be on sale in the social club before and after the two games at Whitebank this weekend and also from 9am on Monday.