By Martin Morgan

Last updated 10:21, Saturday, 26 July 2008

Kiwi veteran Leroy Joe says Whitehaven’s confidence is sky high going in to tomorrow’s clash with top-ranked visitors Halifax after back-to-back away wins put them firmly in the NL1 play-off picture.

Thanks guys: Our pack make it easier for the half-backs,’ says Leroy Joe. ‘I can’t speak highly enough of them all.’

Joe, who recently returned to action after a lengthy spell out with a broken arm, was the architect of sparkling successes at Sheffield and Celtic.

And he said: “All the boys are playing really well, especially the forward pack. They make it easier for the half-backs. I can’t speak highly enough of them all.

“Everyone’s come to training with a smile on their face, and they are all rolling up their sleeves and having dig. They are all fighting for each other.

“At Sheffield I held a guy up over the line and Gary Broadbent did it at Celtic. Things like that make a big difference.”

Fax, who lie second in NL1, have five first-choice players out tomorrow (3pm). Sean Penkywicz, Dana Wilson, Dave Larder, David Wrench and Jon Goddard miss the trip.Fax have twice beaten Haven convincingly at the Shay this season, while the Cumbrians were equally comfortable winners in a Northern Rail Cup tie at the Recre in March, before their form slumped alarmingly.

Matt Calland, Fax coach, said: “All teams go through stages where their form dips, and you knew they’d get it back at some time. They are a pretty tough side to play.

“I really rate Graeme Mattinson. He’s one of the best hookers in NL1. They have good pace on the wings in Adebisi and Calvert, and there aren’t many safer full-backs than Gary Broadbent. If we think this will be easy, we’ll get beat.”

Meanwhile, long-time Haven favourite Joe turns 34 in December and is undecided if he will continue to play on after this season.

“It’s a bit too early to say yet,” he added. “Let’s see if I can first get through the rest of this season. I’m treating every game like it’s my last.”