Eye on the Ball with Alan Irving

No more tears, time for GB cheers

IT’s still a long way off until we host Rugby League’s World Cup with the prospect of one or more matches being staged in a super Whitehaven sports stadium, perhaps also at Derwent Park.

Last updated 9 June 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Haven’s mighty atom saves the day

WHITEHAVEN’S win at Keighley was definitely something to crow about. It was undoubtedly their best result of the season so far especially as they went to Cougar Park as underdogs and came away with the victory laurels in the most thrilling of finishes.

Last updated 2 June 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Nuclear godsend or white elephant?

THE blueprint for our new community sports centre has certainly sparked some debate – for and against.

Last updated 26 May 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Put your shirt on it?

HAIL Haven – well almost! Hail Loz Hamzat? You bet. This boy looks a winner on the wing and it’s just a shame he didn’t get the chance to run in a winning try.

Last updated 19 May 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Will Haven fans be going Gaga?

THIS is the Big Weekend – and not just in Carlisle. Haven officials are hoping and praying their big clash against Swinton Lions on Sunday will pack ‘em in at The Recre.

Last updated 12 May 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Haven must roar against Mac’s Lions

NO game this weekend – so time to take stock at the Recreation Ground. How well have Haven done?

Last updated 5 May 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Smithy looks a bit special

GRAEME Mattinson’s departure to the old enemy amid that administration crisis brought more than a few glum faces among concerned Whitehaven fans.

Last updated 28 April 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Will Seeds stick or twist at half-back?

THE killer instinct – or lack of it. Could this be a deciding factor in Friday’s eagerly awaited West Cumbrian derby clash at Derwent Park?

Last updated 21 April 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Hoping for an Easter delight

LET’S be kind – it was just a reality check. Mind you hopes were certainly high that Haven would be celebrating a Championship One double over Rochdale rather than on the receiving end of a 49-18 Hornets sting. Rochdale convincingly turned the tables on their opening defeat at The Recre.

Last updated 14 April 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Is Super League just a pipe dream?

WIDNES seemed a shoo-in for Super League. And so it proved. As the debate raged over who should take the ticket to ride – Widnes, Barrow or Halifax – another spectre loomed large: what to do about poor old Cumbria.

Last updated 7 April 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Tane in the zone

I WAS starting to think the old master was getting just a little bit too long in the tooth. Happily, it looks as though I was wrong.

Last updated 31 March 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Is ‘graveyard’ division killing crowds?

IS West Cumbria’s pubic falling out of love with professional rugby league? I don’t think so although many more enthusiasts are con-tent to sit at home watching than going to games.

Last updated 24 March 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Seeds needs an iron fist in a velvet glove

IF anyone thought David Seeds was going to be ‘one of the boys’ as Whitehaven’s new head coach then they couldn’t have been more mistaken.

Last updated 17 March 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Age old debate: Union or League?

CHRIS Ashton’s spectacular conversion to the 15-a-side code following in Jason Robinson’s footsteps, Kyle Eastmond’s impending departure, and the All Blacks rise of Sonny Bill Williams, has raised the age old argument: What’s best: union or league?

Last updated 10 March 2011
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Devil is in the detail

THE devil is often in the detail. The “devil” in the Rugby Football League’s plan to expand the Co-operative Championship is that any clubs keen to merge can do so subject to RFL blessing.

Last updated 2 March 2011
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Money talks in both codes

IT had all the hallmarks of a French farce. No sooner had Andreas Bauer made his debt for Whitehaven – a pretty impressive one, too – than he’s off across the Channel to play (temporarily) for the Pia Donkeys.

Last updated 23 February 2011
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk