Last updated 19:51, Thursday, 18 September 2008

THE HIGHS and lows of sport have hit Workington Town this week.

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GONE: Carl Forber

Days after half-back Carl Forber fired himself into the record books came news that Iain Marsh is quitting.

Marsh (pictured) broke his arm in two places and dislocated his wrist in Town’s play-off defeat at Keighley.

After already shattering his dream of playing for Scotland in the World Cup the injury has now forced him to retire.

Marsh, who needed emergency surgery on the arm, said: “I had just been told I’d be in the final squad to go to the World Cup so this was a major disappointment.

“And I decided that that was it and I was going to retire from the game. I have a baby on the way and it opens your eyes. I have enjoyed playing but you have got to stop at some point.

“I have a good job now and if the worst came to the worst I would not want to lose that because I was playing rugby.

“I have enjoyed my time at Workington and I am just sorry that we couldn’t have gone further.”

The centre/second row joined Workington in November. He is now going to take some time out of the game before deciding whether to look into coaching options.

Meanwhile Forber has earned a spot in Rugby League’s record books after scoring in all 31 appearances for Town this year.

It is an achievement only recorded 28 times in the history of the game.

Forber finished with 229 points from seven tries, 100 goals and one drop-goal.

His coach, Dave Rotheram, is proud of the 23-year-old’s achievements in a tough season.

Rotheram said: “Carl has held the side together. He has been the one consistent player week in and week out.

“If you look at other players who done this he is in very good company, with the likes of Andy Farrell and Kevin Sinfield. It is just a fantastic achievement for him.”

Town are in talks with Forber to keep him at Derwent Park next season.

He was NL2’s leading points scorer the previous season with 254 to his credit.

And he equalled Dean Marwood’s club record of 13 goals in a game and also scored a hat-trick of tries as Town hammered a hapless Blackpool 86-6 at Derwent Park in the July.

Warring ton’s Chris Hicks is the only other player to look like achieving the feat this season. He has scored in every round of Super League this year.

Town have re-signed Aussie prop Ryan Benjafield but have lost Dexter Miller who has signed a two-year deal with Whitehaven.

Benjafield, who holds a British passport, has committed himself to Town for another year.

The former Rochdale player, who joined Town last November, missed some of this season’s NL2 campaign through injury but returned for the last few games.

Rotheram regards him as one of the key components to the squad he wants to build for next season.

Benjafield has been in England for the past five years, first coming over in September 2003, when he joined Super League Hull from NRL outfit Penrith Panthers.

Miller was keen to reunite with Whitehaven boss Ged Stokes, who give him his break in to the pro game in 2005 when in charge at Derwent Park.

l Town’s annual presentation evening will be on October 11 at the Washington Central Hotel, Workington. Tickets, priced £23, are available from the club on 01900 603609 or from Nail Affair, Washington St, Workington.

l Town Flyer: Monday, A Ivison, Workington, A7454; Tuesday, AJ Kirkland, Keswick, B2714; Wednesday, R Dearn, Workington, C0544; yesterday, A Leggett, Workington, A4017; today, A Barry, Salterbeck, B7348. Travel voucher winner, Irene Atkinson, Workington.