WHITEHAVEN interim coach James Newton looked back on a whirlwind spell as he continued preparations for a trip to North Wales Crusaders on Sunday week, March 29.
The 34-year-old former club hooker, who is looking to a career in the dug-out after being forced to hang up his boots due to a serious neck injury sustained during a game in 2024, stepped up from his role as an assistant after Anthony Murray’s resignation earlier this month.
That came in the wake of Whitehaven’s first win of the season at the sixth attempt, 20-0 at home to Rochdale in the league, and seven days later, Newton watched on as his charges fought out a 20-20 draw with Midlands Hurricanes back at the Ortus REC.
While the Cumbrian club, currently 16th in the table, are considering applications for their coaching role, they have said they will not rush into an appointment and have hinted at a longer spell at the helm for Newton, who is working with Murray’s other assistant, former forward Neil Frazer.
The pair are making the most of two blank weekends to work with the squad, and Newton said: “It’s a chance to press the reset button after a busy spell and for Gus (as Frazer is known) and I to have some reflection and see where we want to go over the next few games (there’s a home derby against Workington on Good Friday, April 3).
“Hopefully things have settled down a bit and there’s a calmer feel about the club, although I have nothing but praise for the way the lads responded to Muzza (Murray) leaving.
“They found out about me and Gus taking charge on the Tuesday before the game, really applied themselves and did the same on the Thursday, and you only have to look at the performance against Midlands to see the effort level out there.
“We didn’t start too well, but I didn’t think they were twelve points better than us (Midlands led 18-6 after 51 minutes), and I knew we had the ability to get back into it.”