By Martin Morgan

Last updated 10:20, Thursday, 21 August 2008

GED Stokes is targeting a play-off clash with Leigh after Sunday’s NL1 match at Hilton Park ended in uproar.

Tane Manihera converts a try.

The Whitehaven boss was angry with Leigh’s tactics, which he claimed were provocative and led to the last-minute dismissals of Graeme Mattinson and Scott Teare.

Skipper Gary Broadbent had earlier been replaced after a foul tackle left him struggling, and scrum-half Gregg McNally had to leave the field after a late challenge led to Centurions prop Andy Hobson receiving his marching orders.

A Haven win on Sunday in the final game of the regular season against visitors Widnes (3pm) will set up a sudden death home tie against Leigh in the play-offs, if Neil Kelly’s team falter at Batley.

And in such a case, Stokes would hope to have tough props Marc Jackson and Ryan McDonald, both missing at the weekend, back in action.

“We would love to get Leigh again,” said Stokes. “Ryan McDonald’s been in contact to say it’s the game he’s looking for.

“I would like to set the record straight. We might intimidate teams, but we do it through physical presence, not the way Leigh did it on Sunday. If we did it like that, there would be carnage.”

Haven are likely to be able to field a stronger side against Widnes, in what should be an exciting climax to the league campaign.

“It’s a game a lot of people will want to watch, one to make mouths water,” Stokes added.

“It could mean the difference between finishing fourth and sixth, and we need every Whitehaven supporter to turn out and give us everything they’ve got.

“We desperately need them to be the most vocal they’ve ever been for us. The team deserve it after everything they’ve achieved this year.

“It seems every team Widnes puts out has a new player, while we are just a good home-town team. Everything we’ve got, we’ve had to work for. We couldn’t buy it.

“Widnes are a good side, and after having nine points taken off them at the start of the season (for going in to administration), they have worked their way up the table.”

Haven lost their opening three league games, before Stokes took over, and he hailed the “fantastic season” for the club.

“The club was going down the pan at one stage, now people want us in a Grand Final,” he added. “Players have been rejuvenated beca-use they had a goal to go for.

“There’s Howard Hill, and I don’t think Marc Jackson has ever played as well. He has taken on responsibility and is more mature in his role in the game.

“Saia Makisi’s been a revelation and had some fantastic games for us. I could go across the board talking about our players.

“Gary Broadbent’s had a very good year, and our wingers have been cemented as two of the best try-scoring wingers in the competition.

“Tane Manihera’s made a liar of people, and we’ve had a 17-year-old who had never played for the first team before (McNally), came in and scored three tries on his debut. There have been a lot of milestones.

“You can also talk about all the work the board’s done to keep the club afloat, and people from the old board, who’ve been part of it.

“It’s been all hands to the pumps, right through from the guys who look after the ground.”

Half-back Tane Manihera, who missed out at Leigh due to flu, is likely to be available to face the Vikings.

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