Championship Talk: Haven buck the odds

CHAMPIONSHIP TALK

fevnut's blog is absolutely delighted to have received permission to bring you a regular column from Gareth Walker.

Gareth is a top rugby league journalist who has one very exceptional distinction. He chooses to write about matters pertaining to the Championship and League One.

Although this blog is devoted to Featherstone Rovers it is always good to read opinions about matters relevant to us, but not specifically about us. We hope you enjoy reading Gareth's column each week.

Haven buck the odds

IT’S fair to say that not many pundits picked out Whitehaven as favourites for promotion from Betfred League One at the start of this season.

       

Having appointed their former player Gary Charlton as coach after a lengthy spell out of the professional game, and clearly laying out a desire for a more local approach, it was expected to be something of a rebuilding year at the Recreation Ground.

       

Yet with just three matches left to play, the League One title and promotion to the Championship is firmly in Haven’s own hands.

       

Last weekend’s thrilling draw at home to rivals Workington means that if they win their final three games - which are Keighley away, West Wales at home and Coventry away - they will go up as champions.

       

It would be a terrific achievement for Charlton and his squad that perhaps hasn’t earned the recognition it deserves outside of West Cumbria.

       

Several clubs in League One are spending more than Haven have this year, but now look set to fight it out in the play-offs for the second promotion spot.

       

Securing a point against improving Town was crucial - had they lost that game, then Newcastle Thunder could have overtaken them on points difference should both teams win all their remaining matches.

       

But now, Charlton knows that three more wins will complete an outstanding season for the club and put them back in the professional game’s second tier.

       

A bumper attendance of 2,360 - higher than five Championship crowds and one in Super League  illustrated the return of a feel-good factor to the Rec.

       

Key players this season including experienced forward Marc Shackley, Scotland international Callum Phillips and talented young back rower Jake Moore.

       

The mid-season return of last year’s player coach Carl Forster into Charlton’s side proved a timely boost, and he was recently joined by Ellis Gillam in making the same switch from Rochdale.

       

But the team is made up primarily of West Cumbrians, which was often the case when the club was competing at the top end of the old NFP and Division One, alongside a sprinkling of popular New Zealanders.

       

The model seems to be paying dividends, although Charlton won’t be getting carried away until those final six points are assured.

       

Haven have a weekend off before they refocus on completing the final three steps of an impressive journey.