Inside RL
It’s a nervous waiting game for Viking Steve
Published 18 July 2008
STEVE McCormack has done a sound job with Widnes Vikings this season, but the ex-Haven coach could be forgiven if he suffers a few sleepless nights ahead of next Tuesday’s announcement on Super League licences.WHAT does it tell young British talent when Bradford Bulls are reported to be interested in Aussie veteran Steve Menzies for next season?
I wouldn’t have believed it just four months ago
Published 11 July 2008
If I’d been told by a fortune teller at around 4.45pm on March 16 that less than four months later I would be standing on the Recreation Ground pitch with Ged Stokes discussing his plans for Haven up until the end of 2,010, I’d have said her crystal ball must be cracked.
It’s time to scrap these Friday games
Published 4 July 2008
GIVEN Whitehaven and Workington Town’s struggles in ‘midweek’ matches on the road, I’d be happy for Sunday service to be the norm for the West Cumbrian clubs.
I can’t get excited by England’s Test
Published 27 June 2008
Forgive me if I don’t get too excited about the prospect of a combined Leeds/St Helens team tackling France tonight.I WAS hugely impressed with Town coach Dave Rotheram’s attitude over losing his No 2 Gary Hewer to the Recreation Ground.
Superman Shaun is good enough for Super League
Published 20 June 2008
I’D heard that Workington Town hooker Shaun Lunt was a major talent but didn’t believe he could live up the billing. Boy, was I wrong.
I always look out for the underdog
Published 13 June 2008
WORLD CHAMPS Leeds Rhinos are top of Super League and favourites Salford City Reds are setting the pace in NL1, but 2008 is still turning into the year of the underdog.
Time to build on a feelgood factor
Published 6 June 2008
WHITEHAVEN go in to Sunday’s home clash with Featherstone on the crest of a wave following last week’s thrilling win over title favourites Salford City Reds.CAN’T wait to see Workington Town’s new Aussie recruit Bryce Poisel in action. Apparently his highlights DVD was something to behold, and he has backed it up in training with Town this week.
225 fans who prove a Super League team in London will never work
Published 23 May 2008
HAD to check the date to ensure it wasn’t April 1 when scanning the RL press this week.
Haven didn’t have cat in hell’s chance
Published 16 May 2008
WIGAN coach Brian Noble claimed, figuratively speaking, that Whitehaven would arrive at the JJB for Monday night’s game armed with baseball bats.
Funny old game: One Kelly in, one Kelly out
Published 16 May 2008
FUNNY old game. Just over a week after Neil Kelly returned to coaching with Leigh, brother Andy was axed by NL1 rivals Dewsbury.
Past is history - Haven look to the future
Published 9 May 2008
WHOEVER said any publicity is good publicity clearly was not hanging around the Recre this week.
Town gamble with a switch to Friday night
Published 9 May 2008
FAIR play to Workington Town. Home gates are low this season, no doubt in response to the team’s poor start to the campaign.
No witch-hunt over Haven’s cash crisis
Published 2 May 2008
IF Haven finish this season with an NL1 mid-table slot and a bank manager with a smile on his face, the club will have shown itself capable of giving Lazarus a run for his money in the recuperative stakes.
The pink void
Published 25 April 2008
LEZIGNAN’S pink jerseys were not the only shocking aspect of the French side in last week’s dismal display at Whitehaven.
Challenge Cup fever is back in Cumbria again
Published 18 April 2008
WHENEVER a National League breakaway from Super League has been mooted, my response has always been: but what about the Challenge Cup?CONGRATULATIONS to Town boss Dave Rotheram on his reappointment as Scotland No 2 for the World Cup campaign in the autumn.
Crusaders would be a big hit in Super League
Published 11 April 2008
I’D love to see a Cumbrian side in the running for a Super League licence for 2009, but you cannot win a race if you ain’t in it.
Don't rule Haven out of NL1 play-offs
Published 4 April 2008
MY thoughts go out to Paul Crarey, one of the most genuine blokes I’ve known in the sport.
Chambers won’t hack it
Published 4 April 2008
NOT sure who came up with the brainwave that Dwain Chambers might make a Super League rugby player aged 30, though his trial with Castleford Tigers was launched this week with the flourish of a Barnum & Bailey production.
Cresta shocker puts things in perspective
Published 28 March 2008
RIVALRY is one thing, especially in west Cumbria. But when news breaks that one of Cumbria’s best, Haven coach Paul Crarey is ill in Furness General Hospital, Barrow, rugby league and rivalry pales into insignificance.
Mo’s SL idea is absolute lunacy
Published 22 March 2008
NOTHING would kill rugby league in Cumbria faster than ex-Great Britain coach Maurice Bamford’s idea mooted last week to create a new Super League club for the county.
