By Martin Morgan

Published at 11:09, Thursday, 10 May 2012

AUSSIE ironman Andrew Beattie was remarkably back in training at Whitehaven on Monday – the day after he was stretchered off the pitch with an horrific gash in his leg.

The back-row forward was taken to hospital where the wound, below his knee, was stitched, but he wasted no time in getting back to weight training.

“He was under the grandstand on Monday, doing his weights,” said coach Don Gailer. “He knows he’s got a job to do and was back with no fuss. It showed his character.

“It’s good for our young blokes to have a look at a guy like that. Good on him.”

Gailer confirmed the incident was purely accidental, in a tackle during the clash with London Skolars.

“It looks like he caught the edge of a boot and it has ripped it straight open,” he added. “To slice through and miss ligaments is a miracle in itself.

“Credit also to the London guys. They could have been funny about it, but they stopped right away when it happened, and that’s the spirit of rugby league.”

Bradd Crellin, who missed the win over Skolars due to suspension, and Richard Varkulis, absent after damaging his foot in a private training session, are both likely to be back in contention for Sunday’s trip to North Wales Crusaders (2.30pm).

Haven are dedicating their home clash with Gateshead Thunder to Help for Heroes after raising over £3,000 for the injured servicemen’s charity last season.

The event last year was based around a clash with South Wales Scorpions and was well-received by fans. And Haven will again wear a special Help for Heroes shirt for the August 12 match.

Replicas will be on sale in Billy Rudd’s Whitehaven Embroidery shop from June 1, and 10 per cent of the sale price of each shirt will be donated to the charity.

Kit supplier ONeills have helped keep down prices and shirts will be available at £40 for adults and £35 for juniors.

Club director Paul Nelson said: “As a club we feel it’s a very worthwhile cause, to show our respect and acknowledge what a great job our armed forces do. Almost everyone knows or is close to someone connected to the Army, Navy or Air Force.

“These men and women put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis and anything we can do to help towards the costs of providing medical care to the injured, aiding their recovery, is a cause worth buying in to.”

Billy Garratt, considered by many veteran fans as the club’s greatest ever stand-off, is to be inducted in to the Recre Hall of Fame.

A member of the outstanding 1956/7 Haven side which beat Australia and skipper of the team that reached the Challenge Cup semi-final, he topped a poll of the club’s Vice Presidents and will be inducted on May 18.

“Billy played in probably one of Whitehaven’s best teams, and it’s nice they have gone for one of the older players rather than a more recent one,” said organiser Des Byrne.

Garratt joined Haven from Kells in 1950 and went on to score 42 tries in 234 games before his retirement in 1958.Famed for his tactical ability, strong kicking game and defence, he was also versatile, playing 63 times at centre, and even moving to loose-forward in his final season.Haven will now induct two players annually in to the Hall of Fame, Garratt, the 13th to receive the honour, being the first this year.Ex-Papua New Guinea star Stanley Gene, who now coaches at Hull KR, will be a special guest on the night.

Tickets cost £5 for VPs and £10 for guests including pie and peas. The VPs continue to raise funds for the club and are currently paying accommodation costs of PNG international Jessie Joe Parker.

This week’s Pride of Five £100 winners are: C Hardy, Red Lonning, with ticket number 3,361; M Parker, High Road, Kells, 853; G Watson, Mill Hill, 582; M Miller, Cross Street, Whitehaven, 657; D Harris, Valley View Road, Greenbank, 445.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk