By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 17:55, Tuesday, 06 January 2009

Whitehaven prodigy Gregg McNally is on course for his derby debut against Workington Town on Sunday after passing his first test with new club Huddersfield with flying colours.

Highlight: Gregg McNally is mobbed by team-mates Spencer Miller, Scott McAvoy and Gary Broadbent. The youngster dedicated the win against Halifax to bed-ridden team-mate Howard Hill

And he revealed he will fulfil a long-time dream when he takes the field against Haven’s traditional west Cumbrian rivals.

“I can’t wait for it,” he said. “I’ve always dreamed of playing in these games. I used to watch and think I wanted to play in them.

“I’m a Whitehaven player from now on. I plan to be here for the season.

“We’ll see what happens.”

If last Sunday’s planned match had not fallen victim to the weather, McNally would have missed the derby as Huddersfield were keen for him to feature against Halifax, leaving the Cumbrians short of play-making options.

The home-grown scrum-half, back on loan at the Recre after joining the Giants in the off-season, scored a typical 60-metre effort for the Yorkshire outfit in their 32-18 defeat at the Shay.

To score his try he intercepted a loose pass from Bob Beswick, after anticipating a move the new Fax signing used to produce for Widnes.

“Luckily it came off,” added McNally, who turned 18 on Friday.

“I really enjoyed the game, especially when the crowd cheered us.

“Huddersfield felt like a big club, the way we prepared. You could tell they really meant business, with it being a local derby.

“It was a very good set-up, all the lads were all right and I met the coaching staff.”

McNally is on long-term loan at the Recre, possibly for the season and certainly until the summer, when he completes his studies at Whitehaven School.

First published at 11:25, Tuesday, 06 January 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk