Workington Town have stepped up their preparations for Sunday’s Ike Southward Memorial game at Whitehaven.
Coach Tony Murray took his squad to Odsal on Saturday for a joint training session with the Bradford Bulls.
Murray had been tipped off the Bulls might be interested in a joint session so contacted opposite number Mark Dunning.
“It was a really productive session which will have done everyone good.
“We took 23 players, with just a couple missing out through work commitments, and they really worked hard throughout the session.
“I can’t thank Bradford enough for the opportunity and also for the hospitality they provided on the day.
“We will get the chance to pay them back for that as we have arranged a warm-up game at Derwent Park against the Bulls on Saturday, February 4 (2pm ko).”
Murray expects to have a full squad to choose from when he takes his team to the LEL Arena on Sunday for the annual curtain raiser against their neighbours.
Town go into the game as holders and Murray says: “I am really looking forward to seeing the squad in their first taste of competitive rugby.
“They have all trained hard and are keen to get out onto the pitch. We won’t be using the full squad but I believe we will be able to use more than the normal 17 match-day players.”
Town go to Barrow next week (January 22) before completing their pre-season build-up at home to Bradford (February 4).
