WHITEHAVEN coach James Newton believes replicating the attitude and effort shown in defeat at Newcastle can bring success at home to Swinton, then Goole.
Having had a blank weekend, Haven host the Lions, coached by their former team chief Anthony Murray, on Sunday and the Yorkshire side seven days after that.
Newton’s charges will be chasing a first win in three against Swinton, having lost 50-14 at Sheffield then 50-6 at Newcastle.
The coach, who has been operating with a depleted squad, insisted neither scoreline reflected the input of his team.
“If anything, I thought we were better against Newcastle than we were against Sheffield,” he said.
“We were down the bare bones in terms of numbers on a baking hot day and playing a full-time team, and if you take away the four tries they scored off really good kicks, that narrows the result a bit.
“I thought the lads produced an unbelievable effort in the circumstances. We created some good opportunities on their line, but when the ruck got a little bit quicker, their full-time fitness levels became clear.”
It was a 13th match at the helm in all competitions for Newton, who moved up from assistant following Murray’s departure in early March and has chalked up four wins, one of them 36-22 away to Goole, as well as a draw.
And the club’s former long-serving hooker, 34, added: “You can’t buy togetherness and team spirit.
“As a group of local lads who really care about this club, we have plenty of it, and that was one of the reasons I wanted to become coach.
“It will stand us in good stead going forward, for the next block of games, the rest of this season and beyond.”
Teenage second rower Ben Pearce has extended his contract to 2028.