Cumbrian clubs in player swap deal

James Gordon
Championship rugby ball SWpix

Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix

Cumbrian rivals Whitehaven and Workington have swapped a player each in a month-long loan deal.

Perry Singleton will swap Workington for Whitehaven, completing a hat-trick of Cumbrian clubs having previously played for Barrow.

He can cover a number of positions either in the backs or forwards for Jonty Gorley’s injury-hit squad.

Whitehaven director Ashley Kilpatrick said: “We’re delighted to have Perry Singleton for a month. Perry can play back row or centre which gives us that versatility there.

“I’ve always rated Perry as a player, from watching him play for Cumbria against Yorkshire & Lancashire a couple of years ago and more so since he made the step up to the pro game.

“Perry has always been one of the names I looked for on Town’s team sheet.

“He’s tough, aggressive and strong. He also brings that enthusiasm, he likes to get off the line and can put a shot on someone in defence.” 

Whitehaven travel to Widnes in the Championship on Sunday.

Perry Singleton in, Glenn Riley out

Meanwhile, prop Glenn Riley will head in the opposite direction to Derwent Park for a month.

Riley, 29, has played just once this season for Whitehaven, in the opening day defeat to Leigh.

The former London Broncos and Warrington prop is in his second spell at the Recreation Ground.

He is another player who will complete a Cumbrian hat-trick – having made 41 appearances for Barrow in 2018/19.

Riley will be hoping to lift a Workington side that has lost all 10 of its games in the league this season.

They sit bottom of the table in their first year back in the Championship.

Workington are four points adrift of safety, and three points behind nearest rivals London.

Chris Thorman’s side have conceded on average 34 points per game.

This weekend they face a trip to Barrow, who were League 1 champions last season.

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