Last updated at 11:50, Friday, 10 August 2012

Former Great Britain prop Jamie Thackray has called on his Workington Town team-mates to “stand up and be counted” ahead of the visit of Championship One leaders Barrow Raiders on Sunday (3pm).

Jamie Thackray

Thackray, 32, who has 197 Super League games for the likes of Hull, Leeds and Cruasders under his belt, knows a majority of the Barrow players, having played with the Holker Street outfit last season, and reckons Town have the beating of his former club.

“We lost 20-12 there in the league earlier this season and we were very unlucky,” he said. “Things didn’t go for us that day. We didn’t kick any goals and, with a bit of luck, we would have won it.

“As a team, we have to show more consistency and, when we lost on TV to Doncaster, I think nerves got the better of us and some of the calls didn’t go our way. Maybe that defeat was a blessing in disguise and showed us what can happen if we take our eye off the ball.

“We can beat Barrow but, if we don’t, it’s not the end of the world, we have won promotion to the Championship.

“We have got to stand up and be counted.”

Thackray doesn’t think that there’s a massive difference between Championship One and the Championship. “Playing with Barrow last season was my first season out of Super League. I think, next season, we will have to raise our fitness levels, complete more sets and be more consistent too.

“The thing in the Championship is that every game is a big one. If you don’t play well, the bottom club can put 40 points on you.”

Used to playing in front of big five-figure crowds at Super League clubs such as Leeds and Hull, Thackray has been very surprised of the support Town have received this season. The Leeds-based star added: “The Town fans have been brilliant. And, week-in, week-out the numbers are increasing.

“I have also been very surprised at the away support the club has had this season. It’s been fantastic considering the amount of travelling they have to do.”

First published at 11:25, Friday, 10 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk