Last updated at 12:03, Monday, 11 June 2012

Confident Craig Calvert backed his words with deeds as he crossed four times in Whitehaven’s 34-18 win over South Wales Scorpions yesterday.

Don Gailer

The winger completed a first-half hat-trick with a 65-metre touch down which will be a contender for Haven’s try of the season, and went on to add another after the break. And he even won the verbal battle with his marker.

“I heard a bit of banter between him and the other winger, and he started to tell him where he was going to get around him,” said coach Don Gailer.

“I love that sort of stuff. He says it and backs himself up, so I have no problem with Calvert. He’s a goer.

“He scored some smart tries and showed his pace. Everyone sees his tries, but he’s also a tough customer in defence. Right across the park we were pretty handy. I was happy with the boys.”

Calvert could have added a fifth try in the closing moments only to step on the sideline.

“He’s probably disappointed he didn’t get five, he had a shot at the corner,” the coach added. “That’s the sort of competitor he is.”

Oldham’s defeat at North Wales yesterday means fourth-placed Haven are now five points clear of their nearest rivals in the promotion race, ahead of their next outing at Workington Town in a fortnight. Gailer pointed out there are still 24 points to play for this term.

“There will be plenty more ups and downs in this competition,” he warned. “It’s a bit of breathing space, but we need to go forward from here, and it has set up an interesting challenge in our next outing.”

First published at 11:28, Monday, 11 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk