By Martin Morgan

Published at 16:01, Wednesday, 23 February 2011

WHITEHAVEN coach David Seeds is preparing his squad for a lung-busting schedule of three games within a week.

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The club have agreed, with last season’s Championship winners Halifax, to play their delayed clash at the Recre on Wednesday next week, at 7pm, four days after travelling to Oldham for another Northern Rail Cup tie and three ahead of the Challenge Cup visit of French champs Lezignan.

“Playing Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday next week will test the squad,” Seeds said.

“We will see what has happened at the end of the three matches, but we have a fully-equipped squad of around 35 players and, while not all will be used, we’ll need more than the squad of 18 or 19 we use on a weekly basis.

“Others will be called upon within those three games. It will be a big week.”

Heavy rain on Saturday put paid to the planned visit of Halifax the next day, when conditions were mild, as the Recre was under water.

“It was unfortunate that the game was off, as Sunday was a good day to watch rugby,” added Seeds.

“It’s beneficial to us to play Halifax before the league campaign starts.

“We trained on Tuesday night and lads carrying knocks have had a few extra days to rest their injuries. They should be raring to go this week.”

Howard Hill (ankle) and Reece Fox (flu) would have missed out on Sunday and prop Richard Farrer was due to step up.

A weakened Haven were hammered in a pre-season friendly at Oldham, on their first visit to Whitebank and Seeds is expecting a closer encounter on Sunday (3pm).

“It’s certainly going to be a different game,” he pledged. “We now know what the pitch, surroundings and facilities are like.

“But Oldham ran Swinton pretty hard last week and are a big side and a good team in their own right.”

Meanwhile, Haven have taken steps to ensure there will be no repeat of Sunday’s postponement.

An historic collapsed drain, in the corner where the Popular Side meets the Railway End of the field, meant water failed to drain from the pitch.

Director, Ian Harvey, has this week managed a project to install a new sump and electric pump to fix the problem

He said: “It is quite a big job, and certainly not one you’d undertake in these weather conditions unless you really had to – but we have had to, because without this work being done it could have been a month before the field was playable, the water just wasn’t draining away at all.

“It is a legacy issue with the old drain that has posed a problem, and that’s why that section of the ground always floods.

“The board of directors were as frustrated as any of the fans to see such a big game called off, but when it was inspected on Sunday morning, by Steve Nicholson and Barry Richardson, it was going over the top of their Wellington boots, it would have been dangerous to play on it, and safety has to come first.

“The repair bill will run into thousands of pounds, but the money needs to be spent so we will have to spend it.”

Harvey thanked groundsman Tommy Johnson and his team of volunteers for their efforts ahead of Sunday’s postponement.

“Tommy has been facing an uphill battle all season, if it hasn’t been rain it’s been frost or snow, but people do their best because they are so keen to see rugby played, just like the rest of us,” he added.

Ex-Kells prop Paul Cullnean has been one of the surprise packages of the season after turning pro at 33, and he is not looking to play just one season at the Recre before hanging up his boots.

“To be truthful, I thought when I signed that it would take a while to get in the first-team, but I’ve started four games, which is a bit of a confidence boost,” Cullnean said.

“A lot of people from other amateur RL clubs wondered why I had signed but it’s going well.

“Even if I only play for one year, it seems the right thing to do and if I get another deal it will be worth it.

“If Seedsy and the board think I can do a job, hopefully I’ll get another deal for next year, but everyone will be like that.

“Everyone has to prove something for next year.”

Seeds added: “Paul Cullnean’s a great example for people coming in to the team – excel and you stay in.”

This week’s Pride of Five £100 winners are: John Vallely, Silloth, with ticket number 3,207; John Wilson, Patterdale Avenue, Richmond, 2,098; J Curwen, Rydal Street, Frizington, 2,596; Karen Bell, Herdus Road, Mirehouse, 208; Malcolm Bell, John Colligan Walk, Cleator Moor, 2,482.

Last week’s winners were: B McFarlane, The Highlands, Whitehaven, 2,395; Mary Ruddy, Grizedale Close, Mirehouse, 3,702; Lawrence McKenzie, Coronation Crescent, Distington, 1,224; Keith Youdale, Commodore Street, Bransty, 19; Ada Joughin, Ramsey Drive, Parton, 1,920.

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