Last updated at 09:00, Saturday, 30 June 2012

Versatile Martyn Wilson’s impressive campaign for Cumbria in the Rugby League 9s has paid off with a league call-up for Whitehaven against visitors Oldham tomorrow (3pm).

Martyn Wilson

Wilson missed the county’s big win in the 9s finals at Headingley on Tuesday night after his wife gave birth but is now ready to return to action.

“The 9s were of great benefit to us,” said coach Don Gailer. “I’m not a fan of holding them in the middle of this competition, but they served their purpose in keeping the likes of Martyn Wilson, Loz Hamzat, Bradd Crellin and Sam Gee going.

“Martyn did really well but missed out last week as his wife had a baby. It’s is also why he didn’t come in to consideration against Town, which he would have, as an ex-Workington player.

“Full credit to him. He has hung in there and gets his chance off the bench this weekend.”

Wilson has made four first-team appearances this term, scoring one try, and can cover a string of roles in the team. He replaces prop Matthew Haggerty.

Haven went down by just two points at Workington last weekend and post-match the players pledged to maintain their intense level of performance for the rest of the season.

“They said we need to consolidate and keep our act together from now on,” the coach added. “Words are one thing and actions are another, but I’m hoping the boys really kick on. Their effort in training on Wednesday was outstanding. It’s probably going to be Oldham’s Grand Final, and it’s one we can’t afford to drop.”

Haven beat Oldham 26-16 at Whitebank last month, and another defeat for the Roughyeds, who have gone eight games without a win, could end their promotion hopes.

But their squad got together this week for a meeting to discuss how to fix their dire situation, and Gailer is wary of the visitors, including their dangerous half-backs.

“They threw everything at us last time,” he said.

“People were saying Graham Holroyd was old, but he had a monster of a second-half, and they will be looking to get that from Dallimore and Roden tomorrow.

“They will come at us, and we need to make sure we give those two plenty of attention.”

A Haven Pride of Five lottery £5,000 draw will be held before the match.

Haven: Bauer, Calvert, Fox, Parker, Wiper, Rooney, Rudd, Houghton, Sice, Cullnean, Beattie, Mullally, Doran. Subs: Varkulis, Gee, Isakka, Wilson.

Winners of a pair of tickets each for tomorrow’s game are: Gordon McIntyre, Whitehaven; Diane Lace, Cleator; Peter Tyson, Whitehaven; Matthew Tunstall, Workington; Paul Blacklock, Kells.

First published at 08:58, Saturday, 30 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk