Scorpions out to avoid upset
South Wales Scorpions’ coach Dave Clark has said that his side must step up their game to avoid a possible Carnegie Challenge Cup upset this Saturday.
The Scorpions head to Cumbria to take on top Conference Premier side Wath Brow Hornets (kick-off 3pm) for the first of at least four trips to that county this year, and Clark says that his side will need to up their game following the disappointing defeat to Workington Town last Sunday.
“If we play like we did last week then an upset could be on the cards,” Clark said. “Wath Brow are only a league below us and they have pulled off cup shocks in the past, especially when teams have to travel to them.
“It’s another long trip on the bus and it’s our third overnight stay in three away games. It’s a difficult time for us and the match will be a big challenge. Wath Brow always play and compete well in the Cup, they have a good mentality up there when semi-pro sides come to their club. It’ll be a similar game to Workington last week in a strong aggressive side coming at us and playing in our face.
“We really need to step up out game and the mentality of our side needs to be better than it was last Sunday or they’ll ask questions of us. The defeat to Workington very disappointing for us and I take full responsibility as a head coach today. I’d like to apologise to the supporters first off, I think they and I expected something a lot different from my players today. We talk every week about our errors and not completing sets against a side like Workington you’re going to get penalised.
“We had a good away win against Gateshead Thunder in our opening league match the week before and we really wanted to follow it up with two out of two, especially playing at home. But if we can turn that around this week and start on a good Cup run then it could give our club the boost it needs for a good 2012.”
Clark has no regrets in upping sticks from Cumbria, his home for over 12 years, to come down to live back in South Wales and is relishing the big challenge he has ahead of him.
“Coming down here to where I was born to be part of the development of Rugby League in South Wales is a fantastic opportunity for me as a coach,” he said. “It’s a real challenge and as a coach I want challenges. I’d like to think that’ll we’ll improve as a club. Obviously there’s a long way to go, development wise, but with the links with Wigan and the fabulous catchment area we have with players coming through, there’s a great future here for Rugby League.”
The draw for the fourth round of the 2012 Carnegie Challenge Cup will take place on Monday March 26 at 8.50pm in the Club Lounge at DW Stadium, Wigan. The draw will be centrepiece of an hour-long Rugby League special on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, which will be attended by all the clubs involved in the competition.
