A SIXTH-PLACE finish and an elimination-round play-off exit marked a similar end to 2024 for Workington as the previous year, when they had finished fifth, so the target will be to improve on that this time around.
Former Whitehaven head coach Jonty Gorley takes over at the helm at the Fibrus Community Stadium in 2025, and he has brought Jake Carter, Rio Corkill, Will Evans, Ross Ainley, Jamie Doran and Guy Graham with him.
Gorley has also used his knowledge of the community game in the area to recruit England Community Lions international Dom Wear from Kells, and utility back Cole Taylor-Walker and forward Callum Farrer from Wath Brow Hornets.
Other new signings for Town include outside back Levi Atiga and second row Cooper Howlett, who have come from much further afield after joining from Queensland Cup outfit Western Clydesdales.
After finishing eight points behind fourth-placed Hunslet in 2024 though, Town will be aware they need to improve results if they are to stand any chance of making the Super 8s this year.
Watch out for… The West Cumbrian derbies. With Whitehaven being relegated from the Championship at the end of last season, it means Workington will be able to renew acquaintances with their friends from down the road in the league for the first time since 2022. The first of those matches takes place on Good Friday at the Fibrus Community Stadium followed by the return fixture at Whitehaven on 20th July, and both are sure to be feisty affairs as the clubs battle for the local bragging rights.
Squad: 1 Zarrin Galea, 2 Levi Atiga, 3 Rio Corkill, 4 Will Evans, 5 Jonny Hutton, 6 Ciaran Walker, 7 Dom Wear, 8 Ross Ainley, 9 Jamie Doran, 10 Stevie Scholey, 11 Cooper Howlett, 12 Jake Bradley, 13 Jack Stephenson, 14 Jude Lupton, 15 Cole Walker-Taylor, 16 Guy Graham, 17 Caine Barnes, 19 Grant Reid, 20 Dave Eccleston, 21 Callum Phillips, 22 Ellis Archer, 23 Noah High, 25 Callum Farrer, 28 Jake Carter, 29 Brad Taylor – Matty Henson, – Spencer Fulton.
Rugby League World predicts: 6th
First published in Rugby League World magazine, Issue 505 (February 2025)
