Ged: NL1 is super quality

By Martin Morgan

Last updated 13:27, Friday, 27 June 2008

Whitehaven face a tougher challenge in NL1 this season than ever before warned coach Ged Stokes.

Haven's new head coach Ged Stokes. pic MIKE McKENZIE 2nd April 2008

The Kiwi, below, reckons the sport’s second tier boasts unparalleled strength, with more full-time teams than any time in its history.

Pre-season title favourites Salford have failed to dominate the division as many had expected, with only eight points separating leaders Halifax and Leigh in fifth.

Stokes, whose team host bottom club Dewsbury on Sunday, said: “The First Division is more competitive than ever before. They are all quality teams.

“There are more full-time teams than in the past, with Celtic, Leigh and Widnes, while Halifax are virtually full-time, and there are lot of full-time players at Leigh.

“The benchmark has been set by the full-time teams. They have raised the bar as the non full-time clubs have to rise to their level to be competitive.

“And teams have done that. Dewsbury could beat Celtic on any given day.”

Haven’s mid-table rivals Widnes last week signed St Helens youngsters Steve Tyrer and Matty Smith on loan.

While Halifax recently snapped up Wigan pair Thomas Coyle and Mark Flanagan, and Harlequins’ Joe Walsh, all on loan.

The trio featured in Fax’s 38-14 win over Haven at the Shay on Sunday, Flanagan notching two tries.

“The quality of players coming down from Super League is high,” Stokes added.

“An awful lot of Super League players are now in the First Division.

“Once they were old blokes coming down. Now they are 22 and 23.” Stokes has no major injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s match, which could propel Haven back in to play-off contention.

He said: “Our performances at home have been pretty good this year. It’s just a matter of getting our selection right.”

nHAVEN’S annual £10,000 Pride of Five draw has been brought forward. It will now be held at the interval at Sunday’s game.