Half-back clash one to savour

THE half-back clash of Carl Forber and Jamie Dallimore, the man who succeeded him in Oldham’s No 7 shirt, will be a tasty side issue in Sunday’s Workington-Oldham clash at Derwent Park (3pm).

Dallimore was understudy to Forber at Whitebank last season, but became first choice this year following the latter’s decision to head back to Cumbria.

“He had family and work commitments up there, so he was always likely to go back to Workington,” said Roughyeds boss Tony Benson.

“Carl did a good job for us, but we won’t be focusing on him any more than any other Town player.

“Our first concern is ourselves, and what we do.”

Benson will finalise his side for the opening Championship One fixture at training tomorrow, but Neil Roden is a banker bet to return at stand-off in place of young Jack Reid and thus partner Dallimore in the key battle at half-back.

Oldham won 24-20, with Dallimore scoring a try and kicking two goals, on their last visit to Derwent Park last September.

“Town have spent a lot of money since then,” added Benson. “They now have lots of Super League experience. But if we want to finish top of the league this is the sort of game we need to win.”

Among Town's recruits are three dual-registration signings from Hull KR — winger Nick Johnson and forwards James Green and Dave Petersen.