By Helen Thompson

Published at 15:54, Wednesday, 18 February 2009

BARNSTORMING Haven prop forward Ryan McDonald has warned Town that it will be a whole different ball game this Sunday.

BLOCKBUSTER: Ryan McDonald is raring to go for the local derby at the weekend. He is pictured barging his way through the Bradford ranks in the recent friendly.

Town pushed Haven close in the Ike Southward Memorial derby back in January but McDonald believes that Sunday’s Northern Rail clash will be a different game.

“It wasn’t great conditions and we couldn’t throw the ball around and that made it a really close game,” said McDonald.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Workington’s performance but if we get a dry day I think it will be different.”

The Cumbrian prop says there is a lot of pressure from fans to get it right against their neighbours and it is one of the biggest games of the year for many.

He added: “It is one of those things, we have got to beat Workington. It doesn’t matter what you do all year but you have to beat Workington or it is a disaster.

“But the lads also want to do it for themselves more than anything. Everybody at work is a Workington or Whitehaven fan and you want to beat them and avoid getting any stick.”

McDonald, who will be 31 on Tuesday, believes Haven can bag the win but is also well aware that Town will raise their game to try and win local bragging rights.

“They are always big games against Town. It is a like a cup final for them so they always try a bit harder and up their game by about 40 per cent,” he added.

“A couple of their players looked good. Young Brindle played well against us, he was only small but he runs his weight.”

Haven were in action last night at York City Knights, with a mixed team of experienced heads and some youth - to keep some of their side fresh for the Workington challenge.

And coach Ged Stokes doesn’t believe the midweek clash will take anything out of them for the weekend.

“We will be ready for the derby, this kind of game takes it all away and by Sunday the lads will be right,” he said.

“We want a good hard fought derby, there is nothing like it. Nobody wants it to be one-sided.

“Our players know that Town are capable of gearing themselves up for this game and we won’t be taking anything for granted.

“We had six or seven players out with operations and injury for the last game so we will be adding players to the mix and we are stronger with them back.”

Stokes also hopes to welcome back Graeme Mattinson, who missed the midweek game with a leg injury.

It was thought to be just soft tissue damage and with some rest this week he could be fit for the derby, which kicks off at 3pm at the Recreation Ground.

Former Haven coach Steve McCormack has also hit the headlines this week, after parting company with Widnes Vikings on Monday.

McCormack, who led Widnes to within a game of Super League in 2006 and 2007, was let go by the Championship high fliers just one game into the new season.

Vikings chief executive Alex Bonney said: “Since joining the club 12 months ago I cannot fail to be impressed with the work undertaken by Steve who almost single handedly built a team from scratch to reach the play-offs.

“Prior to this he led the club to two Grand Finals and a Northern Rail Cup victory and this morning’s decision was reached amicably.”

The news came after Widnes lost their opening Northern Rail Cup game at home to Oldham 22-20 on Sunday.

Steve McCormack added: “It’s a disappointing day but I have really enjoyed my time at Widnes.

“The club has suffered many ups and downs both on and off the field and I hope that eventually it achieves its goal of a return to the top flight competition.”

In the interim, assistant coach John Stankevitch will take over in a caretaker capacity.

Last week’s Haven Pride of Five £100 lottery winners were: Mrs Sim, Coronation Drive, Frizington, ticket no 2,541; Mrs C Redmond, Monkwray Brow, Whitehaven, 1,286; William Telford, Fleswick Ave, Whitehaven, 3,091; Mrs Leary, Glenridding Walk, Whitehaven, 1,830; K Linklater, Smithfield Rd, Egremont, 1,601.

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