WHITEHAVEN have turned to a familiar face to bolster their forward pack with the signing of Daniel Spencer-Tonks.
Spencer-Tonks, 30, made 18 appearances for Haven in the 2023 season in the Championship, helping the club avoid relegation, and he has now signed for a second spell at The Ortus REC until the end of the season.
The Gloucester-born man has been keeping fit playing rugby union at sixth-tier Cheltenham since spending time at both Swinton and Rochdale last season.
Whitehaven coach Anthony Murray said: “He’s a really big player, he’s got a big presence about him and he plays the game really physically.
“He runs hard, tackles hard and if he makes a break he’s got the pace to find his way to the try-line. He’s quite unstoppable close to the try-line one-on-one too.
“He’s got Championship experience, so I’m delighted that when Dan became available we had the opportunity to sign him. I’m really pleased, especially when we’re struggling at the moment in the middles with injuries.”
Murray’s injury woes were added to in the recent draw at Dewsbury, with forwards Aaron Turnbull (ribs) and Jordan Thomson (sternum) expected to be out for at least a couple of weeks with their respective knocks.
Jake Pearce is another player Murray has been without due to a facial injury and back-rower Mason Lewthwaite has been absent due to a family holiday arranged prior to his arrival at Whitehaven from the community game.
But Rio McQuistan and Jack Newbegin are back in contention for the game against Goole today (Sunday), along with Spencer-Tonks and Tom McKinney, the young Warrington forward.
Exiting the club last week was hooker Connor Saunders, who hadn’t made a first-team appearance after following Murray to the club from Workington.
He picked up an injury in pre-season against Barrow and has found himself down the pecking order.
Murray added: “I’m not a coach that likes to keep people out of the game and at this moment in time, I couldn’t offer Connor opportunities to play.
“It was a bit unfortunate, he’s a great lad and a good professional, he works really hard but I couldn’t squeeze him in and offer him the opportunity.
“Lads just want to play rugby and we couldn’t offer that in his position. He’s a good lad and hopefully he gets an opportunity elsewhere.”
