Last updated at 12:55, Saturday, 18 February 2012
ONE Workington player sure of a harder time than most at Craven Park tomorrow is full-back Brett Carter.
The 23-year-old Town man will have to travel only a handful of miles from his home on Thwaite Flat – knowing he has as many friends on the opposing team as he does on his own.
Barrow Island amateur product Carter is in his third full season at Derwent Park, having moved up the coast from Raiders, initially on loan, midway through 2009.
He is now firmly embedded in the Town side, having signed a two-year deal in 2011 and expects his former team-mates in the Barrow team to show him anything but mercy, much like in last month’s pre-season outing.
“I’ve already had a few messages off a few of my mates, saying they are going to take my head off – so it should be fun!” laughed the former BARLA Great Britain Under-18s player.
“I was definitely sore after the last game, I don’t think I’ve felt that sore for a while.
“I think my mates hit me harder – maybe they might be trying to tell me something.”
He added: “I definitely give it that bit extra. I try my hardest every game, no matter who it is, but it’s just nice to get one over on your mates – it’s a good bit of banter.”
Carter is not reading too much into the previous meeting between the two Cumbrian sides for Mike Whitehead’s testimonial last month.
That game ended in a 28-28 draw, but Raiders fielded different sides in either half and Town were weakened by injuries.
“The first game, they had two completely different sides out and we were a bit short of numbers,” Carter added. “So, even though it was a draw, I don’t think it was a fair reflection on either team.
“It will be a lot more competitive this weekend with two 17s out.
“I think it will be a hard, competitive game from both teams, so we will have to see how things go.
“Hopefully the two teams will each pick a strong 17.
“With it being the Northern Rail Cup, it’s different. I know the friendlies even aren’t timid games and everyone is still putting in 100 per cent, but now with both teams having strong 17s out, it will be a lot more competitive. That will be the case with it being a cup game as well. It will be a good game.”
Carter and his Town team-mates were edged out 28-14 by Sheffield Eagles in their Northern Rail Cup opener last week.
Carter went over the whitewash for Workington’s second try as they built up a 14-6 half-time lead, which was only wiped out in the final 20 minutes.
The Barrow-born Town man was pleased with the way the side played against higher-league opposition and hopes for similar tomorrow.
He said: “We were still missing a few regular
500 Word Extract from Original Article Only...
Article From Publicly Accessible RSS Newsfeed - Displayed for Rugby Rules Context : View Full Original Article Here
