Benson left to count the cost

OLDHAM boss Tony Benson admitted to being “frustrated” as Roughyeds struggled for 65 minutes against Championship One newcomers North Wales Crusaders — and then got well on top when it was too late to avoid a shock home defeat.

"That was the annoying thing," said Benson.

"It was only in the last quarter of an hour that we showed what would have happened if we had played to our full potential for the entire game."

Trailing 36-22 with six minutes left, Roughyeds suddenly found their missing vigour to score two tries and go within touching distance of pulling off the Great Escape.

Added Benson: “Crusaders had two weeks to prepare — and it showed. We chased the game from start to finish and in the final 20 minutes of the first half we panicked.”




Read the full version of this story only in our print and eChron editions