Ambitious Penrith are shaping up well for the new season
Last updated 11:46, Thursday, 14 August 2008
PENRITH’s pre season training is taking shape with a healthy turn out of players at the Tuesday and Thursday sessions.
Unlike other years all those attending are in serious contention for consideration for the senior sides.
The players appear to be taking to the “no nonsense “approach of new coach Stuart Connell who is insisting on a professional attitude to all aspects of his preparations for the new season.
The squad looks strong with almost everyone available from last season and the West Cumbrian contingent of Martin Armstrong and Steve Wood have again made themselves available.
Also making the journey is Workington-based prop Ben Lanighan who made a big impression for the Zebras last season when he earned a call-up to the Cumbria squad under Connell and fellow county coach Malcolm Brown.
A Penrith insider said: “Ben is one big unit and certainly looks the part in the sessions so far.”
He went on: “The club hopes to come to an agreement with Kiwi hooker Callum Rutledge and of considerable interest to local supporters is the return to training of Penrith ‘legend’ Glen Murray.
“Everyone is hoping he ends his year long sabbatical for personal reasons and turns out once again to have the influence on the club’s performances he has had over the last decade.”
Officials have also expressed an interest in seeing if the step down from North One is as big as the step up seemed two seasons ago.
Penrith have organised a couple of warm-up matches – on Saturday, August 23 they will play in a round robin with Leigh and Darlington at Winters Park and on Friday, August 29 will travel to Preston Grasshoppers.
