The West Cumbrian derby takes centre stage tomorrow with Whitehaven looking for revenge when they entertain neighbours Workington Town.
In the Easter derby at the Fibrus Community Stadium it was Town who came out on top narrowly 10-8 and after the events of last weekend will be fancied to complete the double.
For while they were beating second in the table Midlands Hurricanes last Sunday, Whitehaven were crashing to their heaviest defeat of the season at Goole Vikings.
Perhaps more tellingly Whitehaven suffered more injuries, being left with just one fit substitute and coach Anthony Murray has had an anxious week in preparing to take on his former team.
Luke Collins is definitely out after taking a knock in the throat and spending time in hospital after the Goole game.
“We have been competitive all season apart from last week but that’s gone now. We are not going to beat-up the players for that and I know they will be looking forward to the derby game as are all the coaching staff,” said Murray.
Opposite number Jonty Gorley has had no such concerns and he has to make only one change from the 21 selected last week against Midlands Hurricanes. Grant Reid has a knee injury and new-signing Max Clarke takes his place.
“That was a lot more like it on Sunday. I had asked for a reaction after the defeat at North Wales Crusaders and I certainly got it.
“The lads dug really dip and we finished our sets where we wanted to, which is something we have been working on,” said Gorley.
Whitehaven: Dan Abram, Ethen Bickerdike, Josh Blinkhorn, Brad Brennan, Clarke Chambers, Karl Garner, Joe Hartley, Ellison Holgate, Connor Holliday, Jack Kellett, Mason Lewthwaite, Rio McQuistan, Max Anderson-Moore, Jack Newbegin, Ellis Nixon, Jack Pearce, Chris Taylor, Jordan Thomson, Daniel Spencer Tonks, Mitchell Todd, Jay Weatherill.
Workington Town: Ross Ainley, Levi Atiga, Jake Carter, Lucas Castle, Lennon Clark, Max Clarke, Rio Corkill, Andy Dieukessi, Jamie Doran, Dave Eccleston, Callum Farrer, Spencer Fulton, Zarrin Galea, Guy Graham, Cooper Howlet, Zach Jebson, Callum Phillips, Stevie Scholey, Jack Stephenson, Cole Walker-Taylor, Dom Wear.
