By martin morgan

Last updated 10:31, Thursday, 14 August 2008

KIWI favourite Leroy Joe is set to make the 300th appearance of his long-running Whitehaven career at Leigh on Sunday – and if coach Ged Stokes has his way, it will be far from his last.

Leroy Joe makes a break.

The half-back/back-rower has proved a revelation this term, earning a regular place in the starting line-up at 33 and again proving one of the club’s key playmakers. And Stokes revealed he would like Joe to return to the ranks next term.

“He’ll want to play about 360 now,” joked Stokes. “It’s an amazing achievement to reach 300 and a tremendous accolade.

“We’ll be making every effort to get Leroy on board next year. He’s always played as well as he has this season. He was maybe overshadowed by other names in the past, but I’m not saying he’s been undervalued at all.

“Whenever Whitehaven are in trouble, Leroy comes to the fore and does something special.”

Joe debuted for Haven in January 1997 against amateurs Skirlaugh and last season reached the 100-try mark for the club.

His best season in terms of tries came in 2003, when he crossed 26 times in 30 matches.

Youngster Gregg McNally will return to training tonight (Thursday) following his tour of Australia with England Under-18s. And he will be in contention for a place in the squad that travels to Hilton Park.

The scrum-half missed out on a place in the First Test, when England were hammered 68-6 by the Aussie Schoolboys, but scored a try in the second, after starting at No 7 in the narrow 17-10 reverse.

Haven lie fourth in the tight NL1 table and a win at Leigh may be enough to guarantee a play-off place, ahead of their final league match at home to Widnes.

The picture should become clearer after tonight’s televised clash between Sheffield and Widnes, both chasing hard for play-off slots.

Haven reserve-grade’s see-sawing season climaxes on Saturday in the final game of the league campaign at home to minor premiers Leigh (2.30pm).

“We are seventh but could finish second if all the results went in our favour,” said manager Dave Farrell. “But we are probably looking at third or fourth as our best finish.

“Leigh have already won the league, and I’m not sure what that means about the way they approach this game.

“If we want to progress to the play-offs, this is a must-win game. If we don’t win, we’re out of the play-offs, but we are trying to approach it in a positive frame of mind.”

The reserves have been hit hard by injuries this season and have also suffered the knock-on effects of first-team injuries, with players earning promotion to NL1 level. They went down 48-18 last week against a strong Widnes outfit.

Farrell added: “Of the Widnes team we beat at Whitehaven in April, only four played on Saturday. It was a different proposition this time.

“In fairness to our lads, they did play quite play but the score didn’t reflect that. Widnes were more experienced and pressed home their advantage.”

Prop Marc Jackson will miss the final games of the regular NL1 season after picking up a two-match suspension for use of the forearm in a tackle against Halifax last month. Stand-off Carl Rudd’s knee problem will sideline him for the rest of the campaign.

Last week’s Pride of Five £100 winners were: TW & A Richards, of Greenlands Avenue, Whitehaven, with ticket number 1,113, G Burns, Bedford Street, Hensingham, 756; O Richardson, Norbeck Park, Cleator Moor, 1,048; M Dougan, North Road, Bransty, 1,183; B Proud, Rheda Park, Frizington, 2,399.