Roughyeds pair scoop awards

Chris Baines (left) and Ben Heaton with their trophies.

ROUGHYEDS stars Chris Baines and Ben Heaton cleaned up at last night’s club presentation dinner, scooping six of the seven awards they were eligible for.

Two of the stars of the club’s recent surge, which culminates in the Co-operative Championship One play-off final against Keighley this Sunday, the pair were honoured by fellow players, coaches and fans alike at the dinner at St Herbert’s function room on Broadway, Chadderton.

Baines, who has been consistently impressive across an often difficult campaign, picked up the players’ player of the year, coach Tony Benson’s player of the year and supporters’ player of the year honours.

Heaton (19) scored a terrific try in the play-off win at York in only his second first-team appearance for the Roughyeds last week and won reserves awards from his fellow players, his coach John Hough and the fans.

Phil Joseph was named junior supporters’ player of the year and a new special merit award was given to Martin Roden. Formerly the club conditioner, Roden stepped out of retirement to fill in at hooker against Dewsbury following the sudden exodus of players to Barrow in July and has kept his place ever since thanks to a series of accomplished performances.

The clubman of the year award was given to Benson, as a result of what was described by chief executive Chris Hamilton as his “outstanding commitment and contribution in a host of different areas over the past year”.

The squad convenes for training tonight ahead of the season finale in Warrington and a number of injury checks will be made by the club’s medical staff.

Tickets sales continue to go well and Roughyeds officials have been informed that fans have snapped up as many tickets in three days as Keighley, who qualified a week earlier, have managed in 10.

The office on Lansdowne Road is open until 7pm both tonight and tomorrow for fans who have yet to purchase a ticket.

CHRIS Hamilton is a studio guest on tonight’s Rugby League Extra show on BBC Radio Manchester, which is broadcast between 6pm and 8pm.