Last updated at 11:47, Monday, 02 July 2012

Whitehaven's ex-England international Jamie Rooney reached the 3,000-point landmark in the pro game yesterday – with a helping hand from half-back partner Carl Rudd.

Jamie Rooney

Regular kicker Rudd generously stepped aside for two conversions in the 42-20 win over visitors Oldham, to enable Rooney to score the four points needed to hit the hugely-impressive milestone, in his 333rd game since his 1998 Featherstone debut.

“It was great that Carl gave him those two close kicks to get him over the line,” coach Don Gailer said. “That was a really good effort from a team-mate.

“The whole thing is about team spirit and acting as a group. It has been there all year.

“There have been rumours from outside the camp about rifts between players but inside it we know we’ve been strong from day one. They all enjoy each other’s company. It’s probably me being angry from time to time that they don’t enjoy. We have the right mind-set to do some good. To bounce back from the agony of defeat last week and play like that was a gutsy effort.”

Haven have won five of their seven games since Rooney joined, losing only to pacesetters Barrow and last week going down by two points at Workington.

First published at 11:25, Monday, 02 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk