Benson joy over spirited Oldham

TAKEN DOWN: Howard Hill of Whitehaven (centre) is tackled by Roughyeds new boy Neil Rigby (right), as Mark McCully looks on.

Roughyeds retain SEAT trophy
OLDHAM RL Club coach Tony Benson was delighted to see his side retain the SEAT Trophy after an entertaining 22-22 draw at Whitehaven.

It was the visitors' first outing of pre-season after the frustrating delay and eventual cancellation of the annual Law Cup showdown with neighbours Rochdale Hornets, who opted against rescheduling following three postponements.

Dave Ellison and Chris Clarke made their eagerly-anticipated comeback from long-term injury as Oldham displayed little sign of rustiness in a spirited display.

Benson said: "It was a very worthwhile exercise and I am happy with many aspects of our performance.

"At the same time I feel I have a clear view of the things we need to work on when we return to training this week.

"We dominated the first half and had the best of it for the opening 10 minutes of the second, and with Whitehaven fielding an entirely new line-up after the break it was never going to be easy.

"I think we responded well to the challenge, which is a good sign.

"Naturally it was great to have Dave and Chris back because they were sidelined for a long time.

“They were both a bit nervous going into the game but they had a real go.

"Retaining the trophy is always something to be pleased about."

Lucas Onyango, Paul Noone and Neil Roden were left out, with Roden facing a race to be fit for Friday's visit of St Helens to Whitebank.

Benson added: "Neil went down with a chest infection. He has been given antibiotics and has already responded positively. We will just have to see about Friday.

"It wont be the end of the world if he isn't quite ready in time but hopefully he is alright."

And the coach revealed the mood in the camp has improved ten-fold after his squad finally returned to action.

He said: "The players loved being out there again, especially after such a long wait."

Tries from hooker John Clough, winger John Gillam, Kiwi loose forward Valu Bentley and half-back Jamie Dallimore gave Oldham a 16-6 lead at the interval, when their opponents fielded replacements in every position.

The home side, lethargic for much of the opening period, scored a try through Danny Barker with Carl Rudd converting.

Whitehaven hit back after the restart and got to within four points of Benson's men, despite losing Lee Doran for a 10-minute spell in the sin bin.

Chris Fleming’s solo effort was embellished by a Jonathan Youds conversion, before Dallimore jinked through and converted with 68 minutes on the clock, leaving the Roughyeds 22-12 up.

However, Martin O'Neill crossed for the hosts and, with six minutes left, Loz Hamzat crashed over and Rudd kept his cool to add the extras.

Whitehaven (first half): Benson, Ackerley, Wiper, McAvoy, Calvert, George, Rudd, Cullnean, Sice, Haggerty, Isakka, Barker, Cunningham. Subs: Smith, Hill, Beattie, Houghton.

Whitehaven (second half): O’Neil, Fleming, Youds, Wilson, Hamzat, Bauer, Karalius, Houghton, Gee, Hill Beattie, Doran, Crellin. Subs: Smith, Isakka, Haggerty, Cullnean.

Tries: Barker (19), Fleming (60), O’Neil (70), Hamzat (74).

Goals: Rudd 2, Youds.

Oldham: Greenwood, Robinson, Fogarty, Cookson, Gillam, Reid, Dallimore, Stenchion, Clough, Boults, Clarke, N Rigby, Thompson. Subs: Ellison, Smith, Whitmore, T Rigby, Bentley, McCully, Langtree.

Tries: Clough (11), Robinson (27), Heaton (31), Dallimore (68).

Goals: Dallimore 3.

Penalty count: 9-11

Referee: Joe Cobb

Attendance: 402




ADMISSION for Friday’s home friendly against St Helens (8pm kick-off) will cost £10 for adults, with £8 concessions and £2 for under-16s.



Seats will be sold on a first come, first served basis including those normally allocated to season tickets holders. Season tickets are not valid as it is a friendly.

Roughyeds are also offering fans the chance to take places in the sponsors suite where soup and a hot sandwich will be served together with two free drink tokens, for the price of £20 per head.

Presentations will take place in the suite before and after the match. Call (0161) 628 3677. Places in the suite must be booked before noon on Thursday.