By Martin Morgan

Published at 15:57, Wednesday, 16 February 2011

CARL Rudd has credited his old amateur club Wath Brow Hornets with re-igniting his love for rugby league after returning to the pro game with Whitehaven this week.

dotted line: Carl Rudd signs on for the Whitehaven RL squad, watched by chief executive Barry Richardson

The playmaker, who joined Haven after guiding the Hornets to National Cup final glory with a man-of-the-match performance in 2004, tested his long-term knee problem with a short stint at Wath Brow before re-committing to Haven. He signed off for the National Conference high-flyers in a win over Wigan St Judes on Saturday.

“I played four games for Wath Brow and would have liked to play more but the weather put a stop to that,” Rudd said.

“I really enjoyed the training and getting back with all the friends I’ve had for years. It got my appetite back and put a smile on my face. It’s what I needed to do.

“It was always in my head that I wanted to come back to Whitehaven, but I first wanted to prove that my knee was all right.

“Last year I got in a rut because I couldn’t train or play, but I still had to show my face and it was getting frustrating watching the lads and not being able to be part of it.

“I wanted to be 100 per cent before coming back and giving it a good go. The knee is spot-on. It swells up the day after I play but that’s to be expected. I just have to put up with that.”

Rudd has been hampered by a string of knee surgeries over recent seasons and his 2010 campaign came to a premature end due to his injury.

But despite Haven starting their inaugural Championship One campaign on minus nine points, he has high hopes for the new season.

“If we keep the core of our team healthy, we have as good a chance as anyone,” said Rudd, who realises he faces a stiff challenge to regain his first-team place. It’s a realistic goal to get in the play-offs, and see how we go from there. It’s very good to be back.”

Chief executive Barry Richardson said it was no surprise that Haven, who secured a thrilling draw at Sheffield on Sunday, had moved for Rudd.

“He was an excellent player on our doorstep and it would have been remiss of us not to try to bring him to the club,” Richardson declared.

“I’m sure other clubs were interested in Carl, and it’s fantastic that he has agreed to join Whitehaven.

“We all know Carl’s capabilities. He’s a classy player a really good ball-handler, and he’ll give us the creativity we need. He’s an important part of our team as we move forward. We appreciate he’s had problems with his knee over the years, but he’s had four games with Wath Brow and come through with flying colours.

“The deal was done by director Ralph Calvin and Carl, and Ralph has done a great job.”

Coach David Seeds hailed Rudd as a great addition to the squad but warned that he faced a tough task to break in to the team.

Seeds said: “He’s not coming back thinking he will walk back in to the team. He has missed pre-season training with us and has to bide his time, then take his chance when it comes.”

Fans are being offered a unique chance to have dinner with new Australian import Luke Isakka, who has impressed in his first two outings for Haven.

The prop has offered to have dinner with a lucky fan and their guest, and will even pick up the tab.

Club director Karl Connor said: “Luke is new in Whitehaven, so what better way to let him get to know the fans and for them to get to know him.

“If his form on the rugby field is anything to go by Luke is settling in quickly, and this is a great way for him to get to experience what the craic is like and make a few new Marras.”

Haven’s new chief executive Barry Richardson will also attend the meal, fixed on a date to suit everyone’s diaries.

The draw for the meal will take place at half-time during the Halifax game on Sunday (kick off 3pm) and every paying adult will be given a free raffle ticket upon entry to the ground.

Connor added: “The team put up a great show against a heavily fancied Sheffield team and proved that the optimism that everyone has had pre-season is justified.

“We’ll be underdogs against Fax, who are the current Championship holders and understandably one of the teams most fancied in 2011. But sometimes when we are underdogs, like we were at Sheffield, we produce our best form.

“One thing is for sure, a bumper crown cheering on the lads won’t do us any harm, and I think after Sunday’s effort they deserve to be well supported this weekend.”

Haven’s Challenge Cup tie against Lezignan will be played on Saturday, March 5, 6pm kick-off at the Recre.

200 Club winners: £500 - K Jackson; £200 - G Bray; £50 each - J Goodwin, I Hartley, G Tubman, D Richardson, T Messenger, G Moore.

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