Workington Town Ladies into play-offs after fine season

Town exited at this stage last season when they finished third and travelled to then 2nd placed Wakefield.

Town’s Ladies have had an excellent season on the pitch, defeating Championship side Hull FC en route to the Challenge Shield Semi-Finals before falling to Warrington Wolves, who themselves are on the cusp of returning to the Super League.

To that end it shows just how far the Ladies have come.

Ahead of the game we caught up with Town Head Coach Gareth Nicholson: “We’ve had a fair few highs this season. There’s been a few to be honest.

"I think the first game against Hull FC set the tone for the season.”

“From the moment we walked into the changing rooms, and the lasses saw their shirts hanging up with their names on the back, there was a real buzz around the place.

“I think Charity Day has to be the high point though, for so many reasons.

"None more so than the money raised for Maisie and her family.

"It was lump in the throat stuff at times and just a very special day to be part of.”

Like with everything though there are often bumps in the season and the Ladies have had a couple of defeats and some big injuries, especially to your Captain.

How pleasing has it been to see the Ladies coping with this?

“It’s massive credit to them; nothing seems to faze them.

"Losing Beth was a big blow, but then you’ve got someone like Ellie Foxwell who just slots straight in.

"She’s 17 years old, playing in the middle, and leads by example game after game.”

“We’ve been really lucky this season with Ellie, Leia and Leonie all signing from Egremont, and all three have been outstanding for us.

To be 17 and playing the way they are shows they’ve got really bright futures in the game, and a lot of credit must go to Egremont for the work they’ve done with these girls.

“I think that probably sums this group up though, whenever we’ve had a setback, someone else has stepped up and taken their opportunity.”

How easy has it been for those youngsters and those who’ve come in and either not played before or only played a few games in Union to adapt and keep the roll going?

"I’d like to think it’s been pretty easy for them to come in and settle because of the environment that’s been created, but in terms of what they’ve done on the pitch, all the credit must go to them.

"There are too many to mention individually.

"I think against Hull we had six debutants alone, with more coming in since, but they’ve all come in, worked really hard, asked questions and been keen to learn.

"I think the existing group deserve a lot of credit as well.

"They’ve really welcomed the new lasses in and made them feel part of the group straight away, which makes that transition so much easier."

Finally, Gareth, the support for has grown this season for the Ladies, be it at The Paddock, the Fibrus Community Stadium or on the away trips with the likes of the Derwent Park Supporters Club heading on the buses with other sponsors and parents.

What would you like to say to them, and do you have anything to say to them ahead of Sunday and about your opponents Leigh Miner Rangers?

"You aren’t wrong when you say the support has grown.

"We’ve had some great crowds this season, with over 400 at our Wakefield game and around 350 against Rochdale, so it would be great if we could break the 500 mark this weekend.

"I can’t thank the supporters enough, and I know the lasses love nothing more than having them there cheering them on.

"It’s probably no coincidence that two of our best performances this season have come in front of two of our biggest crowds.

"Leigh are a tough side.

"They’re very physical, but they can play rugby as well, and if you don’t match them in all departments, they can really hurt you.

"I speak with Kev, the Leigh coach, on a regular basis and I know he’ll have his team ready for Sunday.

"Hopefully, we can get another big crowd behind us this weekend and they can be that extra player for us."