Workington Town completed a busy weekend by adding to their squad with some significant recruitment.
Blain Marwood, who had just been announced as Player of the Year in Division Two of the National Conference League has returned to the club from Barrow Island.
Hooker/half-back Marwood – son of a former club favourite Dean Marwood – first joined the club in the shortened 2020 season and won admirers with his performances in 2021 before deciding not to stay for the season just ended.
Re-signing for 2023 is powerful forward Malik Steele, 20, who also made an impression this season, although he was handicapped by injuries.
An ex-Seaton Rangers junior, Steele spent a number of years at Newcastle Thunder, and was a player that Thunder were reluctant to lose.
However he committed to his home town team and is happy to go round again as Anthony Murray puts together a competitive squad to compete in League One.
Another signing has been seen briefly by Workington supporters as Joe Kirkup, 26, was brought in when Town had lost players during the pay-cuts at the end of the season.
Kirkup opened his account for the club with a try at London Broncos but impressed with his attitude and potential in a handful of appearances.
A former Glasson Rangers forward, who doubled-up in union with Silloth, Kirkup first came to prominence in 2014 when he was selected for Scotland Under-19s when he was registered with East Cumbria Crusaders.
Liam McNicholas is also joining Town for 2023 after impressing Town’s new director of rugby Gary Murdock, playing for Distington in the Cumberland ARL.
A hard-running forward the 25-year-old McNicholas – at 6ft 2ins and 16st 4lb – has been a powerhouse for Distington on their way to the Cumberland ARL title.
The fifth signing of the week-end was Luke Broster, the former Ellenborough forward who played for West Wales Raiders last season.
