Ex-BARLA star Scott’s back in the craic at Brow
Last updated 11:49, Friday, 26 September 2008
WATH Brow Hornets have received a major boost with the return to their ranks of former Barla Great Britain prop Scott Teare.
The 29-year-old rejected the chance to remain in the pro game at Whitehaven, where he impressed when given his chance to shine in the first-team in the closing games of the campaign.
Teare joined Haven near the end of the 2006 campaign, earning a two-year deal. He went on to feature 23 times last term but struggled to win a first-team place this season until near the end of the year.
And he was offered a deal on the basis of those eye-catching late performances off the bench.
Teare said: “I’ve played for the Academy side for most of the year, and I thought I would go back to Wath Brow and enjoy it with my mates.
“I’d made my mind up before I got back in to the team at the end of the year. I know I really only got back in because of injuries.
“I did all right but didn’t have much of a chance. It’s hard work when training week after week and not playing. It’s frustrating.”
Teare is not noted as a dirty player but ended his Haven tenure with successive dismissals.
He was red-carded at Leigh for punching and sent off at the Recre for a high tackle against Widnes in the last league game of the regular season. He later picked up suspensions for both.
“The one at Leigh I can accept because I threw a few punches,” he said. “But I couldn’t believe the Widnes one. I know myself that I didn’t do anything wrong.”
He has signed for the Hornets but is ineligible to play at Shaw Cross tomorrow as he has one more game of his suspension to run.
With another ex-Haven prop Mark Cox, latterly with Workington Town, also due to turn out soon for the Hornets, their promotion campaign should be given added momentum.
Hornets top the Conference First Division but are aware they face a fight to retain the position.
Last week they were given a fright at home by Widnes St Marie’s, trailing 22-10 at the break before mounting a late fight-back to earn a 30-all draw.
Division Two Egremont have won two of their opening three games and tomorrow’s test at Eccles may gave an indication of their strength this term.
Cumberland League Division Two champs Cockermouth have suffered a baptism of fire in the top-flight, losing their opening three matches.
And it does not get any easier tomorrow when they travel to Ellenborough, last season title winners.
New boss Colin Armstrong knows he has a fight on his hands to keep them up, but after enjoying huge success with Seaton, he is well-equipped for the task.
“We are a little behind the eight-ball, as I took over only a week before the start of the season,” he explained.
“John Patrick has signed for Whitehaven, and Craig Fisher has gone to Maryport, and we lack a little experience.
“The majority are under 23 and we have some good kids, such as Jordan Skillen, who’s only 18 and hooker Paul Graffin, at 19 or 20.
“We can’t afford to get relegated. We need to start picking up points or we’ll be isolated at the bottom of the comp.
“There are some decent young players to work with, but we seem to give a start to everyone we play.
“We were getting beat 20-0 at half-time against Broughton after completing only 30% of our sets. It was up to 65% completion in the second-half, which we won 8-0.
“Against Maryport we were 14-0 down, got it back to 16-14 up and lost 22-16. We can’t afford to wait for 15 or 20 minutes, realise we are 10 points down and then start playing rugby.”
Ryan Burns is ruled out tomorrow due to work commitments, while John Beverley and Lee Burns are carrying knocks.
Armstrong added: “I know Ellenborough lost to Glasson early on, but they are now on a roll. They have David Whitworth and a few others back, and we just have to go there and look after ourselves.”
Seaton, champs in 2006, have enjoyed a strong start to the campaign with two wins, and make the short trip to Maryport, while unbeaten Kells travel to Wath Brow.
TOMORROW’S FIXTURES
Cumberland League
Division One: Wath Brow v Kells, Glasson v Distington, Maryport v Seaton, Ellenborough v Cockermouth, Broughton Red Rose v Hensingham
Division Two: Seaton A v Frizington, Flimby v Salterbeck A, Salterbeck Storm v Maryport A, Lowca A v Egremont, Kells A v Great Clifton
National Conference
Division One: Shaw Cross Sharks v Wath Brow
Division Two: Eccles & Salford v Egremont
