By Martin Morgan

Last updated 12:12, Thursday, 15 May 2008

NEW signing Martin Gambles says he is ready to step up for his first-team debut for Whitehaven at Batley on Sunday, if given the nod by boss Ged Stokes.

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Travelling Whitehaven RL fan flies the flag at Wigan

The diminutive scrum-half, who joined from Blackpool Panthers last week, could be in contention for the trip to Mount Pleasant as Carl Rudd suffered a knee injury in Monday’s night’s record defeat at Wigan, putting a question mark against his name for Haven’s return to League One action.

After a long stint in NL2 with Blackpool, the 28-year-old feels the time is right to step up to the higher level.

“I played for Blackpool for six or seven years, and when Whitehaven showed interest, I thought I would test myself at a Division One club,” Gambles said.

“I’ll just get on with it and see how it goes. I’m ready to play and excited by the challenge. I’ve only played in Division One for Gateshead, in their first year.

“At Blackpool we played a lot of Division One sides in the Arriva Trains Cup over the last few years, and the strength, speed and skill level is a little higher.

“I will play in any position. I know Sicey is injured at the moment. If the coach sees me coming off the bench at nine, I don’t mind.”

Gambles has featured three times for Ireland, though he does not expect to play in their World Cup campaign in Australia in the autumn.

He said: “I think coach Andy Kelly will go for Super League players and bring in others from Australia. But when it comes to the European championships, hopefully I’ll get in.

“I’m more in the shop window now I’m playing at a higher level.”

Gambles debuted for the reserve-grade in Saturday’s 34-20 home win over Barrow.

Scott Teare, Craig Benson, David Ford, Stephen Fox, Craig Hodgson and Andy Gorski crossed for Haven’s second-string, who host Featherstone on Saturday (2.30pm).

Meanwhile, Stokes vowed that Haven would strike back against Batley on Sunday after being hit for a century for the first time in their 60-year history in the Carnegie Challenge Cup at Wigan.

The Warriors swept to a 106-8 massacre, eclipsing Haven’s previous record defeat, of 98-4, also at the JJB against the Warriors in 2000.

“We have next week to make up for it, and we will, I guarantee it,” Stokes pledged. “I have said to the players that I have full faith in them. They have the character to bounce back from this.”

Wigan’s stand-in teenage scrum-half Sam Tomkins scored five tries on his first-team debut.

“Wigan were tremendous: bigger, stronger, faster,” the coach added. “It was always going to be a tough day. They scored some attractive tries and by the end of the game, our guys were completely out of gas.

“There’s no excuse to offer whatsoever. We didn’t really come up with a game that I thought asked any questions.

“A couple of times when we were in the scoring zone we looked nice and tidy, but we weren’t there often enough. We played in our own 20 for most of the game.”

Haven trailed 48-8 at the break, in front of 3,814 fans, Ade Adebisi and Rob Jackson crossing for the visitors.

“Ade Adebisi wouldn’t look out of place in any Super League side,” said Stokes. “And Saia Makisi showed what he’s made of.”

Prop Ryan McDonald has a case to answer over his Bank Holiday Monday bust-up against Leigh, RFL disciplinary chiefs have ruled.

McDonald and Centurions’ front-rower Gareth Price were sin-binned following their fracas at the Recre. Leigh prop Mike Morrison was sent off after rushing in to punch the Haven man in the face, and ref Jamie Leahy put the whole incident on report.

Free tickets for families of four are now available from the Recre and Unique Sports for the televised home clash with Salford in two weeks’ time.

Last week’s Pride of Five £100 winners were: W McDowell, Birley Court, Whitehaven, with ticket number 2,601; Jenkinson’s Fruit Shop, Egremont, 2,746; K Bryce, Dickinson Court, Whitehaven, 2,452; G Turnbull, Chatsworth Drive, Red Lonning, 1,429; Mrs Cottier, Hilltop Road, Kells, 394. To join the lottery, phone the Recre on 01946 692915.