Last updated at 13:26, Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Workington Town have fought off fierce opposition to land the signature of highly-rated Salford City Reds prop Adam Walne.

Adam Walne

Walne, 21, appeared for Town twice last season on dual registration forms and then returned to his Super League outfit to play two games for the Reds, against Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors. He scored on his home debut for Town in the 48-34 victory against Barrow Raiders.

“Adam has a great engine and he’s a big, powerful lad,” said Town coach Gary Charlton.

“From what we’ve seen of him, he’s impressed hugely. When he played against Barrow, Alan Hunt came to watch him from Salford. After that, he played two Super League games and did well. Adam’s an excellent signing for us and he chose Town over several other offers.”

The former Leyland amateur originally joined the Salford scholarship. Walne put an injury-plagued season behind him to star in the City Reds Under-20 side, winning several player-of-the-year awards, before signing full-time with the first-team squad earlier this year.

Charlton added: “We’re very happy with the recruitment in the front-row after learning lessons in the last couple of seasons when we ran short of numbers towards the end of the season.”

Walne, who links up with former City Reds team-mate Andy Morris in the Workington ranks, will be jousting for position with fellow props Jamie Thackray, Ewan Dowes, Jamie Acton and Kris Coward. But with Thackray missing the opening Championship game of the season at Swinton Lions, and Acton missing the first three Championship games, Walne’s signing looks to be a huge one for the club.

First published at 13:24, Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk