By Martin Morgan

Last updated 15:57, Wednesday, 07 May 2008

NEW signing Tane Manihera pledged to target a first-team place at the Recreation Ground after joining Whitehaven last week.

Happy to sign: Tane Manihera in his Workington Town days

The 33-year-old made a fine debut for the reserve-grade in Saturday’s 48-12 demolition of Widnes, setting up four tries, just three days after first being contacted by Ged Stokes about the possibility of joining Haven.

He had been planning to return to RL after his winter spell with home-town RU club Wigton, with Workington Town his likely destination, until a call out of the blue from fellow Kiwi Stokes.

“It was a total shock that I was given the chance to sign for a First Division club,” said Manihera.

“I was very happy to sign and hopefully I’ll repay Ged’s faith. I’m really chuffed with it.

“He was a bit of a legend when I was growing up, as he played for my club at home, and New Zealand.

“I looked up to him for a long time, and I also wanted to play for New Zealand, but I never got to that level.

“My aim is to play as much first-team as I can, but also to pass on as much experience as I can to the young players.

“The half-backs are fairly quiet, but they have talent, that’s for sure.”

Manihera is likely to have moved up the pecking order after Leroy Joe, a player from the same mould, broke his arm against Leigh on Monday. David Fatialofa suffered the same injury against the Centurions, while Carl Sice fractured a bone in his hand.

“It’s not the way I wanted to get a place,” said Manihera. “Leroy’s been quality for years, and hopefully he won’t be out for too long. But injuries happen in this game. I’ll get my chance when I deserve it.”

Manihera, who played for Stokes at Derwent Park, said he appreciates the coach’s approach to the sport.

“He likes a constructive way of playing, but he doesn’t hinder you,” added the stand-off.

“He works on technique and isn’t scared to give his opinion.”

Haven will be without recent signing from Halifax, Andy Gorski, for their Carnegie Challenge Cup clash at Wigan on Monday night, as he is cup-tied.

The match was initially scheduled for Friday but was moved as Wigan Athletic host Manchester United in a Premier League title decider on Sunday and there were concerns over the JJB turf if the RL match had been played first.

Haven have been guaranteed an undisclosed sum to move the tie, which is predicted to attract 4,000 to 6,000 fans.

“With the commitment given to us, Wigan have to push the game and sell it,” said chairman Gordon Grace.

“It’s a shame it’s being played on a Monday, but there was no alternative. Financially we have done reasonably well out of it.

“In sport, the little team is capable of beating the big team, and that’s what we are hoping for. You want to compete against the best.”

Haven’s reserve-grade host Barrow on Saturday (2.30pm). Last weekend the Recre second-string produced a superb performance against Widnes. Two tries from Daniel Smith, plus Derry Eilbeck and Scott Teare touch downs, ensured Haven led 24-6 at the break.

Man-of-the-match Chris Smith popped over for two second-half tries before Craig Benson crossed and Eilbeck added his second.

Coach Dave Smith said: “From one to 17 it was a great team performance. During the week we had been working on a quick play-the-ball, and that was the difference between the two teams. Widnes couldn’t handle that, and our go-forward.

“Special mention to Andrew Jones, in his first full game since last season. He went really well, as did Scott Teare.”

Sean Morgan, 14, of Whitehaven School, and seven-year-old Joshua Broatch, of St Gregory and St Patrick's, were the winners of the club's mascot competition. They will be official Haven mascots at the JJB on Monday.

Last week’s Pride of Five £100 winners were: Mrs Bennett, of Catherine Mill, with ticket number 1,913; A Dawson, The Green, Bransty, 732; P Jones, The Crescent, Thornhill, 2,048; Mrs Lamb, Goldsmith Road, Egremont, 347; D Simpson, Church Street, Whitehaven, 735.