KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP ONE

OXFORD RL captain Alex Thompson has urged his players to mount a big push for their final four matches.

Thompson’s side visit Rochdale Hornets on Sunday after a week off, looking to maintain a promotion play-off spot by finishing in the top six.

“We will be looking to kick on now with four games left and ensure we finish as high up in the table as possible,” said Thompson.

“We played really well in parts in the 14-14 draw with Gateshead, but then dropped off at times.

“We cannot afford to do that on Sunday as Rochdale will punish us, as they did at our place earlier in the season.”

On that occasion, Oxford surrendered a 28-12 lead to lose 42-28.

Head coach Tony Benson will check on the fitness of Jonny Leather (hamstring) and Valu Bentley (foot) before naming his squad.

Luke Evans is back in training as he continues his recovery from a broken ankle, but Dave Ellison (broken cheekbone) misses out.

Lucas Onyango is on the long-term injury list with ligament damage sustained.

This will be the Hornets’ first home game for six matches as their Spotland ground, the home of Rochdale FC, has had its pitch reseeded.

Benson said: “It is always difficult to travel to Spotland, they have a really good record at home and we will have to be on our game and make sure we contain their forwards.

“We will be making sure that we execute on good ball and capitalise on our territory when we get into their half, whilst making sure we keep our penalty count down which we did in the Gateshead game a couple of weeks ago.”

Oxford RL: from Leather, Halliwell, Morris, S Robinson, Connick, B Robinson, V Bentley, Roden, Hadden, Osborn, Hoggins, Johnson, Clough, Baird, Thompson (capt), Clarke, Calladine, Fiander, Burch, Blewitt, Crabtree.

  • OXFORD RL are looking for a fan to represent them on the Wembley pitch at the Tetley’s Challenge Cup final.

The Iffley Road-based club are running a competition for the showpiece occasion on Saturday, August 24.

For more information, visit oxfordrl.com