Published at 11:12, Thursday, 19 July 2012

IT could all be down to those top two or three inches. Mind over matter.

Ahead of tonight’s top-of-the-table Cumbrian derby at Craven Parker Haven’s head coach Don Gailer and his Barrow counterpart Darren Holt might well be wondering about those little grey cells. Holt especially.

“There was a distinct lack of brain power on the pitch”.... was his indictment of The Raiders in the immediate aftermath of their 28-24 away defeat by rivals Doncaster. It cost The Raiders pole position in Championship One. Workington Town too over.

On the field young Mr Holt never lacked brain power – in mind and boot!

But since hanging up his boots after service with Barrow, Town and Haven he has proved to be a hard taskmaster, for it is never easy to see your players failing to do what you were able to do yourself. Ask David Seed!

Barrow can still claim to be the best team in Championship One, they’ll be smarting from the Doncaster loss – and Holt’s stinging ‘brainless’ criticism.

Don Gailer delivered a few disparaging words of his own after Haven’s home trouncing at Barrow’s hands a few weeks back saying that the attitude of his players ‘stunk’ in training prior to the game.

But when it comes to brain power maybe Whitehaven will have the edge the edge in the form of Jamie Rooney although it will take a lot more to turn the tables tonight.

But can this popular ex-Super League star provide the guile and vision to turn the tables on his old Barrow team mates alongside new on-loan capture Tom Hemingway from Featherstone.

The Raiders would surely prefer to have him on their side than against.

For him moving from Wakefield Wildcats, Jamie represented a major transfer coup, for Whitehaven Jamie has proved a smashing signing in a matter of weeks.

Tonight he can’t do it on his own – it will take a titanic effort from Haven to turn the tables – and keep Town in top spot.

Congratulations, meanwhile to Workington – and Allerdale – in winning those two “lost” World Cup games next year.

Easy to say Copeland’s loss is Allerdale’s gain but if we stop crying over spilt Pow Beck milk then here’s hoping bringing World Cup 2013 will be good for West Cumbria and bridge the age-old parochialism gap. Enough said.

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