By Martin Morgan

Published at 11:06, Thursday, 02 August 2012

PROMOTION-CHASING Whitehaven are not planning any special measures to contain Doncaster dangerman Paul Cooke in Sunday’s top four clash at the Recreation Ground (3pm) – as coach Don Gailer believes the visitors can pose problems in ALL areas.

Powering through: Paul Cullnean during Haven’s superb win at Rochdale on Sunday. See page 43 for a full match report.

The Yorkshire outfit are still in the running for the Championship One title and the £50,000 prize that goes with it, and cannot afford any slip-ups before the end of the season.

They beat Workington Town 22-6 at the Keepmoat last week, with stand-off Cooke landing five goals and adding a try on his way to the man-of-the-match award.

The former Hull and Hull KR playmaker has enjoyed an impressive debut season for Doncaster, after opening his league account with a 24-point haul from eight goals and two tries against visiting Haven in March.

“Doncaster looked pretty awesome last week,” said Gailer, who rates Tony Miller’s side the best Haven have faced in Championship One this term. “Everyone talks about Paul Cooke, and he’s obviously a very smart player.

“He puts the cream on the cake, but they also get momentum from the wingers and centres, and Waterman at full-back is quite a talent. He scored two tries against us in our first game, and with extra room at full-back, he picks his spots pretty well.

“Their big, young forwards also hurt us last time. They are a well-balanced team, and if we spend too much time worrying about Paul Cooke, someone else will hurt you, so we have to be strong across the paddock.”

Haven, in fourth, go in to the match on the back of a superb 31-12 win at Rochdale, which probably put paid to the Hornets’ promotion hopes.

Carl Rudd suffered a dead-leg in the first-half at Spotland but was keen to return in the closing moments, and the team spirit on show delighted Gailer.

“They all wanted to get out there,” the coach added. “Jamie Rooney took control and was so switched on. We had a good balance with him and Lee Doran.”

Gailer handed a start at full-back to Lewis Palfrey, following his loan switch from Batley. Palfrey spent last season at Haven, as a half-back, and was no stranger to the Aussie, who studied all of Haven’s 2011 games on DVD before travelling to England to take charge.

“He’s been playing full-back for most of the season and it seems to suit him. It was good to see the enthusiasm he injected,” continued Gailer, who is not planning a string of changes this weekend.

“It’s a tough call. When you put in a performance like Sunday’s, you can’t make changes for change’s sake. It’s the wrong thing to do, especially when we are so dependant on results.”

Kids aged under 16 will be admitted free to the match and next week’s home clash with Gateshead, if accompanied by a paying adult. Visit the Recre for special tickets. Haven will host English Colleges’ clash with Scotland Under-18s on Saturday, August 18.

This week’s Pride of Five £100 winners are: J McGuire, Egremont, with ticket number 877; M Woloszyn, Victoria Road, Whitehaven, 281; D Humphries, Thornhill, 3,613; C Barnes, Distington, 625; M McCartney, George Street, 924.

Blue Club winners: £250 - George Devine; £100 - Dougie Nicholson; £50 each - C Scrugham, G O’Connor, O Richardson.

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