By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 14:05, Thursday, 28 June 2012

COACH Don Gailer was left to rue what he believed was Workington Town’s good fortune after they edged past Whitehaven in one of the most enthralling West Cumbrian derby clashes for years on Sunday.

Don Gailer

Haven went down 30-28 in a blistering match at Derwent Park, Carl Rudd’s last-gasp conversion attempt that would have handed the visitors a draw, hitting a post and bouncing out.

But after losing at Workington earlier this term, and going down 30-12 to their local rivals at the Recre over Easter, the Haven boss, who had called for a huge effort from his pack, had no complaints over his side’s latest effort, especially after fighting back to score 10 unanswered points in the closing moments.

“I’m just happy we put to bed the question mark over the forwards. I thought our forwards dominated theirs,” Gailer said.

“We were better in the middle, but they continued to get the lucky bounce. Although you make your own luck, it bounced for them on the day.

“We’ve copped a lot of criticism against that team all year, and on the day we were the better side, no doubt about it. It didn’t come out on the scoreboard, but I’ve said from day one, that players will never have a problem with me, if they give everything.

“No one had any petrol left in the tank when they got back in after the game, it was a massive effort, and I think our supporters appreciated that.”

“The boys were still confident at 30-18 and the tide was turning. Their attitude was really good and all credit to them.“Workington have had a fair stroke of luck even on Good Friday. They weren’t 18 points better that day, even though everyone made a big song and dance about it. It was about an 18-12 game in my mind.”Gailer was in line with Rudd’s final goal kick and thought initially it was going between the sticks.“I was directly behind that kick and it was over every inch of the way until it U-turned and hit the post,” he said. “But it shouldn’t have come down to that goal, as we had chances against them.“Carl had a really strong game, again, and Jamie Rooney showed his class. Lee Doran topped the tackle count with 43, ran 80 metres for a try and had a monster input. They all put in a good effort and I was very happy with the boys.”

Meanwhile, Haven fans Linda Clements and Cliff Shaw are celebrating winning £500 each in the Haven Blue and Gold Club/Rhinos for Life lottery draw.

Haven lottery manager Paul Goodwin said: “Since our partnership started with the Rhinos we have seen membership of the Blue and Gold Club increase by over 50 per cent with Haven fans buying in to the concept of the partnership. Haven fans have had a number of £5 minor prizes but to have two £500 daily winners is fantastic news.”

This Sunday sees a £5,000 draw for Haven Pride of Five members. It will take place before the league game against visitors Oldham (3pm), and be drawn by Roughyeds’ chairman Chris Hamilton.

Anyone wishing to join the Pride of Five or Blue and Gold/Rhino for Life draw, can call at the Recre or phone (01946) 328088.

This week’s Pride of Five £100 winners are: Mrs Woods, High Meadows, with ticket number 2,077; L Moyle, Bigrigg, 116; W Martin, Whitehaven, 983; Mr Eilbeck, Richmond, 420; J Murphy, Mill Hill, Cleator Moor, 1,885.

Blue Club winners: £250 - John Smith, with ticket number 4,007; £100 - Mark Fawcett, 2,801; £50 each - Shaun Drinkwater, 397; Andrew McLaren, 4,021; Alan Jones, 3,451.

Leeds Line Daily Draw - £500 Winners: L Clements, D Butler, T McIntyre, T Harling, A Moore.

First published at 11:09, Thursday, 28 June 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk