Saint Bennett’s testimonial set for Friday

Mike Bennett’s testimonial has been re-arranged for this Friday, with St Helens taking on Championship side Halifax.

The game was scheduled to be yesterday (Sunday) against Championship winners Barrow, but despite the efforts of volunteers, the Knowsley Road pitch could not be cleared in time to make the game playable.

It means that Saints will now host Halifax, who were beaten by Barrow in last season’s Championship Grand Final.

“It’s superb that Halifax have agreed to play the Saints at such short notice,” Bennett said. “I’m sure it will be a fitting game for my Testimonial.

“I’d also like to once again thank the fans and volunteers who turned out on Thursday to help clear the pitch.”

Saints, meanwhile, have named a handful of first team regulars for their friendly against Widnes at the Stobart Stadium on Tuesday. Team of the Year select Scott Moore, Keiron Cunningham and new signing Sia Soliola are in the 21-man squad, while will also see Chris Dean play against the team he is dual-registered with for the new campaign.

Saints: Andrew Dixon, Andrew Yates, Bryn Hargreaves, Carl Forster, Chris Dean, Chris Flannery, Gary Wheeler, Jack Bradbury, Jacob Emmitt, Jamie Ellis, Jamie Foster, Jonny Lomax, Keiron Cunningham, Lee Gaskell, Matty Ashurst, Maurie Fa’asavalu, Paul Clough, Scott Moore, Sean Magennis, Sia Soliola, Tom Armstrong, Warren Godman.