By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 15:01, Monday, 04 June 2012

RUGBY league legend Keith Senior will be a special guest at the Whitehaven Festival this weekend.

Keith Senior

Senior will be speaking in the chefs’ marquee on the Sugar Tongue from 5.30pm on Saturday. The Super League veteran’s visit was arranged through Haven’s link with his old club Leeds Rhinos.

“It’s a chance for fans to meet a real superstar of the game, a world class player who was a fantastic performer for England, Great Britain and obviously, Leeds Rhinos,” said Haven chief executive Barry Richardson.

The Super League champions will also have a presence at the festival, with a sprinkling of top class talent expected to be in town over the weekend.

Gary Hetherington, Leeds chief executive, said: “The players have been invited, and one or two came last year and really enjoyed it.

“Word has spread that it’s an event worth coming to. Some of our keen music followers, like Ryan Hall, Lee Smith and Danny McGuire were all talking about the possibility of coming over.“We are playing on Friday night and normally Saturday morning would be a training session, and Sunday would be their day off. We are clarifying training arrangements.

“The Rhinos had a small presence last year and we brought up some of our merchandise and memorabilia, and it disappeared within an hour, so there’s obviously a demand for it. This year the two clubs are going for a bigger and better approach to Saturday.”

Senior is a free agent but has been training with the Rhinos as he closes in on a return to action after over a year on the sidelines.

“He had a knee reconstruction which left a lot of complications,” Hetherington added. “He has finally got through that and is very much on the road to recovery. He’s probably six, maybe eight weeks away from playing rugby again.“Keith is still determined to play at the ripe old age of 36, at the highest possible level. He is determined that his career is not finished.

“Apart from his knee he’s in remarkably good physical shape. And he’s got a remarkable record. I think he missed only 19 games in 20 seasons of professional rugby.

“I don’t think there’s a player in the history of the game with a record like that. It’s so ironic that his one and only major injury has been such a bad one.

“He’s looking to continue his career and has such a level of determination and character, I have no doubt that he will. He will be the new Steve Menzies.”

Hetherington was in town this week ahead of a special testimonial dinner in honour of Leeds star Rob Burrow in Whitehaven Civic Hall of Wednesday, June 20.

Hetherington added: “Whitehaven were keen to reciprocate the type of event Leeds have done up here, and out of that conversation came an offer to stage an event as part of Rob Burrow’s testimonial.

“Most of the Rhinos squad will come up for it. We just want to make it a really spectacular evening of rugby league entertainment.

“There will be video action of the Rhinos’ exploits last year, and we will bring the Super League trophy and World Club trophy. We hope as many rugby league fans as possible can come along.”

Fans who book full tables can include a Rhinos player on their table, if they wish.

Sky Sports pundit Barrie McDermott will host, and guest speakers will include Senior, England boss Steve McNamara, Leeds coach Brian McDermott and Rhinos packman Jamie Jones Buchanan.

Tickets for the dinner cost £35 and are available from the Recre on 01946 328088 or Frenchie on 07759 495761.

The following morning, Leeds plan a local community event, still to be announced, before heading home.

Meanwhile, Cumbria opened their Rugby League 9s campaign in fine style with a win over St Helens on the way to finishing runners-up in the opening event on Tuesday night.

Haven’s Stephen Fox, Barrow’s Brad Marwood and Workington Town’s Carl Forber crossed to give Cumbria a 12-0 lead, and they then withstood a Saints fight-back for a 12-8 win.

Hosts Warrington, who beat Cumbria in last year’s final at Headingley, again overcame the county side, 22-8. And in the final game, Cumbria drew 28-all with Salford, to claim second place on the night behind the Wolves.

Last week’s winners were: L&G Taxis, Kells, 825; S Kong, Hensingham, 2839; G Bragg, Catherine Mill, 848; K Hodgson, Distington, 1464; WA Nelson, Whitehaven, 605.

The previous week’s winners were: S Burns, Egremont, 2,990; A Jackson, Frizington, 2,624; A Reid, Bigrigg, 2,422;

Teasdale, Cleator Moor, 3,473; H Robinson, Moresby, 172.

Chocolate Blue and Gold Club monthly draw

2030 - Val Holiday; 1811 - Alan Boadle; 1534 - John Hurst; 2314 - Storey/Sparks; 2044 - Alan Kirkbride.

Leeds Line

H4069 -V Green; F0391 - R Crampton; C5195 - Loz Lindley; B3889 - S Houseman; M3843 - M Vickers.

First published at 11:09, Thursday, 31 May 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk