NRC Preview: Workington v Gateshead

Sunday February 13th – 3pm

Workington Town coach Gary Charlton is breathing a sigh of relief after his squad emerged unscathed from Tuesday night’s bruising 28-18 win over Whitehaven.

Charlton said: “Everybody’s pulled through OK, but we’ll make some changes because we want to give most of our squad a run out in these first few weeks.”

However, the Town coach does not expect an easy ride against Gateshead Thunder.

He said: “They’re going to be hard opponents, and I’m told they competed well against Sheffield. They’ll be well-drilled and difficult to beat.”

Thunder coach Richard Pell has a slight doubt over Mike Kelly, who was substituted as a precautionary measure after suffering cramp in the later stages of Gateshead’s clash with Sheffield last week.

Pell said: “We were very encouraged by how we went on against Sheffield. There were plenty of positive signs there. Our collective spirit was good and we kept going until the end, so there are no fitness problems.

“Now we’re looking forward to going to Workington. Hopefully they’ll be sore and bruised from Tuesday’s game against Whitehaven.”