Come and support us, pleads Benson

OLDHAM RL Club coach Tony Benson hopes his players’ dedication to the cause is rewarded by swelled attendances at Whitebank.

The Roughyeds’ encouraging 28-18 home victory over Super League side St Helens was witnessed by just 305 fans, though the unwelcome arrival of sleet and winds just hours before kick-off undoubtedly kept the numbers down.

Benson believes more people will be tempted through the turnstiles if his men continue to produce performances similar to their first triumph of pre-season.

He said: “It was a shame about the weather. I am sure it stopped a lot of people getting to the match because it was quite nasty for a couple of hours.

“But I would like to think the result and the performance will go some way towards encouraging more to come along and support the team.

“I think we deserve it, because everyone at the club works hard and the backing always helps.

“We are all working towards the same thing — success for the club, so hopefully we can have an enjoyable and rewarding season.

“With more time together in training and a few more matches before the season gets under way, we are only going to improve in terms of fitness and sharpness.”

The Roughyeds are hoping for improved weather as they build up to their Northern Rail Cup group opener against Featherstone Rovers at Whitebank on Sunday (3pm).

The teams were due to meet in a friendly last Sunday, but the game was lost to the freezing conditions.