Whitehaven Chase Historic Championship Double Against Goole Vikings
Whitehaven RLFC will look to continue their recent resurgence when they host Goole Vikings on Saturday in the Betfred Championship, aiming to complete a league double over their opponents after claiming a 36 to 22 victory away from home earlier in the season.
The Cumbrian side heads into the fixture with renewed confidence following an excellent performance against Swinton Lions last weekend. That victory has lifted morale throughout the club and provided momentum as Whitehaven looks to climb the Championship table during the second half of the campaign.
Head coach James Newton praised the commitment and unity within his squad after the Swinton win, describing the atmosphere around the club as highly positive. However, he also stressed that there are still aspects of the team's performance that need improvement, with players working throughout the week to address those areas before facing Goole.
Whitehaven will be without forward Woody Walker, who has returned to Castleford Tigers after completing a one week loan spell. Despite his departure, there remains optimism that Walker could return on loan for the remainder of the season, providing an additional boost for the club in the weeks ahead.
Newton has selected a 19 player squad for the crucial fixture, retaining the core group that delivered last week's victory. The consistency in selection reflects the coaching staff's confidence in a squad that has shown increasing resilience and togetherness during recent performances.
Victory over Goole would mark a significant milestone for Whitehaven, completing their first Championship double against the Vikings and strengthening confidence as they continue their league campaign. Supporters are expected to create a lively atmosphere at the Ortus Rec as the team looks to build on its recent success.
With momentum beginning to grow and belief returning within the squad, Whitehaven has an opportunity to deliver another important result on home soil. A win would not only maintain the club's positive run of form but also reinforce its ambitions for a strong finish to the Championship season.
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