Benson’s praise for ‘true pro’ Stenchion

PROP Luke Stenchion has signed a new one-year deal which gives Oldham RL's pack-building operation for 2012 a "massive" boost, says coach Tony Benson.

Of the 22 players contracted to Roughyeds so far, 13 are forwards and three of those are new to the club in prop Danny Heaton (30) and second-row pair Paul Smith (34) and Neil Rigby (25).

The others are Valu Bentley, Dave Ellison, Jason Boults, Chris Clarke, John Clough, Liam Gilchrist, Danny Whitmore, Alex Thompson, Danny Langtree and the latest to put pen to paper, Stenchion.

Benson, who expects more pack signings to be announced this week, said: "We've got to be strong in the forwards and with that in mind Luke Stenchion's decision to stick with us for a second season is a massive coup.

"He can do the lot – tackle, pass, make the hard yards. He's a true pro. Opponents carrying the ball up the middle are wary of going near him, that's how hard he tackles. He contributed massively in every game he played last season, and that was evident when he wasn't available for our play-off tie at Rochdale where we were beaten 39-18."

A 25-year-old Yorkshireman, Stenchion played in 16 of a possible 18 Roughyeds games in 2011 after signing in early April.

Oldham is his first club this side of the Pennines, and he said: "I feel very much at home. I'm pleased to commit for another year and I see no reason why it shouldn't be a big year for us.

"The new signings will bring loads of experience with them and that will help to develop the young guys who are coming out of the reserves. But the biggest plus is that we will be getting back the services of most of the players who were long-term injury victims last year. It will be like having new players at the club. If we can stay healthy we should be challenging."