EXCLUSIVE: By Alan Irving

Last updated 16:01, Wednesday, 28 May 2008

SCHOOLBOY Gregg McNally has been chosen to make a sensational debut for Whitehaven in tonight’s big televised National League One clash with top-of-the-table Salford City Reds at The Recreation Ground.

ON THE CHARGE: Greg McNally in action for Whitehaven Schools last year.

Gregg is only 17 and still in the sixth form at Whitehaven School but Haven’s head coach Ged Stokes has gone with the adage that “if he’s good enough then he’s old enough.”

The whiz-kid scrum half has impressed so much for the Academy side that Stokes has handed him the No.7 shirt for what is a tough baptism against the championship favourites.

But lining up alongside him to provide a guiding hand as his halfback partner will be the veteran Tane Manihera who is 33.

It will be the Kiwis’ senior home debut at The Recre and Haven’s head coach hopes that as the pair have struck up a good understanding in the reserves they will bring the best out of each other and spark an injury-hit side.

They will be up against probably the best halfback partnership in the division and one that ironically combines the ultimate in youth and experience – Robbie Paul and Richard Myler, who turned 18 last week.

McNally, one of the stars of the Whitehaven School’s side which won the European junior RL championship last year, is in direct opposition to Myler, who proved Haven’s scourge with a hat-trick of tries in Salford’s 36-10 defeat of Haven at The Willows a few weeks ago – again in front of the Sky TV cameras.

But since then Whitehaven have lost four key players and suffered a bad defeat at Batley in the last game.

Head coach Stokes has responded by drafting in not only McNally but another brilliant youngster, hooker Chris Smith. Chris is set to make his competitive debut from the subs bench ready to spell off all-action No.9 Graeme Mattinson.

Joining him on the bench will be two more of the young guns, prop David Ford and back-rower Danny Barker.

Says Stokes: “It is an exciting time for all four of them, I hope it will prove so for the fans and the rest of the team. I would rather give these lads the chance than go out and look for experienced players who aren’t as good.”

Of debutants McNally and Smith, Stokes added: “I have spoken to them and there is no doubt in the minds of both of these lads that they can handle the pressure.. Okay, it’s a big ask against Salford but at least we know their style of play and you have to start somewhere, they are all talented kids and this is their opportunity to step up and show the kind of mental toughness that is required.”

Good news for Whitehaven is that the threequarter line is at full strength, with Tongan international Saia Makisi in the centre and Ade Adebisi has recovered from a torn thigh muscle to take his place on the right wing.

The 21-year-old flyer told me he was enjoying his rugby at Whitehaven so much that he is committed himself to the next three years at The Recre having just signed on for another 12 months on top of his original two-year deal.

Haven marketing director Mike Graham said: “We are delighted because Ade has already proved himself an asset to the club, a potential match winner and a big hit with the fans.”

Mr Graham is optimistic that with the young players coming through and a return to somewhere near full strength in the next few weeks that Haven will come good.

“We’ve had some rank bad luck but I hope to see us finish in the top four and secure a place in the play-offs. A top four position and for the club to be financially sound again would certainly be a good result after all the upheaval and uncertainty.”

On tonight’s game, Ged Stokes said: “I know we are being written off in many quarters, but I go into every game thinking we can win and that’s the attitude I expect from my players when they take the field against Salford. It’s a big game, I want to see belief from the team and a much improved performance to say the least.”

Haven line-up: Broadbent; Adebisi, Rob Jackson, Makisi, Calvert; Manihera, McNally; Edmondson, Mattinson, Hill, Gorski, McAvoy, Miller. Subs: Chris Smith, Ford, Barker, Marc Jackson. Squad reserve: John Lebbon.

Power prop Ryan McDonald is sidelined with a one-mach ban which Whitehaven hoped had been cleared by last weekend’s reserve game but the RFL ruled otherwise.

LAST week’s Pride of Five £100 winners were: Mr Barry, of Balmoral Road, Fairfield, with ticket number 1,917; Mrs Farnworth, Fleswick Avenue, Woodhouse, 3,089; A Powe, Genesis, Whitehaven, 849; F Thompson, Burnmoor Avenue, Mirehouse, 2,864; S Brannon, James Drive, Sunny Hill, 745.