Benson winging his way back

TONY Benson, the Oldham RL coach, is due back from holiday in his native New Zealand in time to take charge of pre-season training tomorrow night.

His assistant, Martin Roden, has supervised two fitness sessions so far, but with the Law Cup game against Rochdale Hornets at Whitebank only five weeks away, Benson will switch the emphasis to rugby matters in midweek, leaving Roden to continue with stamina-building on Saturdays.

Benson is delighted that last season's squad has been strengthened with four new forwards in props Danny Heaton (30) and Bruce Johnson (27) and second-rowers Paul Smith (34) and Neil Rigby (25).

Said Benson: "We need to be more consistent and we certainly won't be short on experience.”

Championship and Championship One fixtures will be released next Monday, December 5.

Fans have only until 5pm on Wednesday to get the best deals on season tickets, which cost less than last year's and provide significant savings when compared with match-day prices over the course of the season.

For more information ring the Roughyeds office in Lansdowne Road, Chadderton, tel: (0161) 628 3677.