Benson relishes Rail Cup test

PROMOTION from Co-operative Championship One may be the priority this season — but Oldham RL Club coach Tony Benson is savouring the trials and tribulations of the Northern Rail Cup.

The group stages begin this weekend, with Featherstone Rovers making their way to Whitebank on Sunday (3pm kick-off), with games against South Wales Scorpions, Dewsbury Rams and Keighley Cougars to follow.

And while few expect Roughyeds to reach the final at Blackpool in July, Benson is determined to take as much from the experience as possible.

He said: “We are taking the attitude that we want to win every match we possibly can, and progress as far as we can in this tournament.

“The players are all vying for a spot in the team, especially after the disruption in pre-season meant we only played two games.

“Some of them might be a bit rusty in Sunday’s game, but they will improve their fitness by getting out on the pitch and by the second game it will be better.

“The further down the road we get, the more they are likely to gel as a team.

“Obviously getting into that top-four in the league is the priority, but I am actually looking forward to the Northern Rail Cup. It is a good competition and it can help us in our preparations for the league season.

“Physically and mentally I believe we are in a pretty good place at the moment.”

Lucas Onyango, Paul Ballard, Neil Roden and Paul Noone are all pushing for their first appearances of the season this weekend, but there will be fitness checks on Shaun Robinson (quad), Mark McCully (knee) and Matthew Fogarty (hand).

Roughyeds have been put through their paces at Hopwood Hall’s boxing gym due to the winter snap throwing a spanner in the works for midweek training.

Benson admitted it will be a relief when his men return to the cut-and-thrust of a matchday environment.

He added: “We are keen to build on the progress made over the last couple of weeks, particularly in the friendly win against St Helens and the training that followed it.

“There was momentum there and the players honed some good habits, but they can disappear quickly if there is a long break between matches.

“So it is going to be a relief to play again. We are lucky to have access to Hopwood Hall but you cannot beat getting outdoors with a rugby ball in your hands.”