Stankevitch names squad to take on town team

Rochdale Hornets Sporting Director John Stankevitch has released details of those players selected to play against the best of the Rochdale amateurs, as Rochdale Hornets take on Rochdale Town Team at Mayfield Sports Centre on Wednesday 28 December.

Stankevitch said: “With Christmas just around the corner, I'm approaching the holidays with split priorities. On one hand, I'm looking forward to spending some time with the kids, but on the other hand I'm looking forward to seeing our new additions in action in the games against the Town Team on 28 December and Oldham in the Law Cup on 2 January.

“It's already been an exciting month, since we returned to training; with the new faces all impressing myself, Chris Hough and Dave Ramsbottom, and we all see some potential First Team players amongst the 20 plus new additions.

“I suppose the best way to see if they actually do have a chance of playing in our First Team is by throwing them into a fixture at the first opportunity, and this is exactly what I am planning to do.

“Our last fixture against the Town Team, off memory, resulted in a 36-0 victory for Rochdale Hornets and played at Mayfield during the winter, it was certainly heavy under foot. So we don't expect anything less this time around. However, the squad that I have selected to play are under slightly more pressure than the First Team lads that played last time out, as I expect the game to be far closer than the previous run out.

“With the goal in mind of strengthening Rochdale rugby league as a whole, I am conscious that a victory of 36-0 doesn't do either side any good, and if we are to progress the players, then we need to make the game competitive.

“There are likely to be some good players that turn out for the Town Team, and without going into names, there are [some] already that I have my eye on for this coming season, with a view to bringing them in, early in 2012. It depends how they perform during the fixture on the 28 December. As for the 23's players that are already training with us, they are all aware that should they not perform during the pre season games then they will be unlikely to be with us come the start of the season. So they have everything to play for.”

He added: “As for the results, I always approach every game with the sole purpose to win the game, as I'm sure all my players do. But this pre season, we have a change of priority somewhat. Of course we want to beat the Town Team and also Oldham in the Law Cup, but if that means we have to pick our strongest side for those games, which then has an impact on the progression of the new younger generation, then its not something I'm going to do.

“My intention through December, January and even February in the Northern Rail Cup, is to expose the young lads to as much competitive Rugby at this level as possible because in the grand scheme of things, it will be these players, that will take the club to the next level, and hopefully be a part the club playing in the Championship come 2013.”

Squad for Town Team Game (subject to change): Tommy Johnson, Andy Taylor, Steven Lynch, Alex West, Kemar Giles, Ben Duffy, Will Chadwick, Steven Lucas, Ryan Brown, Dave Newton, Chad Grant, Matt Reid, Paul Brearley, Jacob Kinney, Fraser Jones Lake, Charles Moore, Daniel Bedford, Jack Knowles, Gary Loughead.