Kingstone Press Championship Preview: Halifax v Whitehaven

Halifax ran unbeaten Leigh Centurions very close last week.

Coach Richard Marshall said: “I thought it was a good contest. We were leading 14-6 just after half-time and never felt threatened really, then we got a bit flustered and unsettled towards the end, which I wasn’t too happy about. But I was proud of my players and the efforts they put in.

“We played Whitehaven in the first game of the season and they’ve improved a lot. They’ve added to their squad and are settling down as a team. It will be a difficult contest. It’s the last game at home for us for a number of weeks so we want to give our fans something to shout about before we go on our travels.”

There are doubts over half-back Scott Murrell and prop Luke Ambler, who both have knee injuries.

Whitehaven were competitive in their last match against Bradford Bulls. Coach James Coyle said: “I think the boys are really disappointed that we didn’t get more out of the game. One thing was evident – they were a bit fitter than us and had a bit more energy in the last 15 minutes and the game just drifted away from us in that period.

“We’ve got to go to Halifax confident and keep doing what we’re doing – trying to perform and play well.”

It’s been confirmed that half-back John Paul Brocklebank, will be out for the season following his shoulder injury.