Benson salutes half-backs

OLDHAM RL boss Tony Benson has hailed the courage of half-backs Neil Roden and Jamie Dallimore.

Roden skippered the side to a 24-14 win at fancied Workington on day one of the new Championship One season.

Dallimore, at 23 his junior by seven years, helped to mastermind the win as well as kicking four goals from four attempts, three of them off the touchline.

He outplayed the man who once kept him out of the Roughyeds side, Carl Forber.

Benson said: “Both were physically sick in the dressing room at half-time after taking nasty knocks.

“They didn’t feel well at all, yet neither would entertain the idea of coming off and they both went out for the second half and did a tremendous job.

“Dallimore’s kicking game was spot-on and he is very unpredictable with ball in hand. That’s his strength.

“Seventeen players contributed to the win. It was teamwork that pulled us through.

“But I also thought that David Ellison and Matty Syron at prop were worthy of special mention.”

The Roughyeds’ first home game is on Sunday against Gateshead Thunder (3pm).

Winger Shaun Robinson (hip) is doubtful after being forced to quit at Workington in the first few minutes.

He moved inside on his first carry of the game only to fall to a heavy tackle by Town’s rugged prop Ryan Macdonald, who was penalised for the challenge.

Danny Whitmore (neck) and John Gillam (neck) will also be in for treatment over the next few days.

The reserves play Keighley at Cougar Park on Thursday night, kick off time to be confirmed.

The match was originally scheduled for next Saturday, but has now been brought forward to Thursday.

On the same night the Supporters’ Association (ORSA) will host a quiz at Whitebank (8pm).