Stop Shad warns Gorski

By Martin Morgan

Last updated 10:52, Saturday, 21 June 2008

Whitehaven have been warned to guard against Halifax try-machine Shad Royston at the Shay tomorrow – by his former team-mate Andy Gorski.

The Haven back-rower started the season with title-chasing Fax and has seen the ability of versatile Aussie Royston – joint top National League try-scorer this term with 20 – at close hand.

“He just seems to be getting everything right and is a really good strike player,” said Gorski. “Graham Holroyd is always looking for him for the money ball.

“Whether he plays at loose-forward or full-back, he always seems to score hat-tricks.”

Ex-Leeds star Holroyd has proved NL1’s form half-back this term, and he ran riot in Fax’s 48-16 home win over the Cumbrians in February.

Gorksi did not feature that day but played for the Yorkshire outfit in the Northern Rail Cup return at the Recre, which Haven won 38-16.

“We owe Halifax one after that first game,” he added. “They really made light work of it that day.

“But it was a different story at Whitehaven, and I’d like Sunday’s game is more like that one.

“From my time at Halifax, Graham Holroyd could play in a dinner suit. He never makes a tackle and he never gets tackled.

“He comes off the field pretty clean every week. He has so many options every time he goes to the line, and we also definitely have to guard against him.”

Ex-Super League forwards David Wrench (back) and Paul Smith (ribs) are likely to be available again for Fax after injury.

Haven’s reserve-grade host Rochdale today at 2.30pm.