Ged signs Blackpool flyer Gambles
Last updated 12:32, Friday, 09 May 2008
Whitehaven made their second half-back signing in a week last night when Blackpool speedster Martin Gambles put pen to paper for the rest of the season.
Coach Ged Stokes sees the diminutive scrum-half in the same mould as Leeds No 7 Rob Burrow, and he joins Tane Manihera, who signed for the club last week, Marc Bainbridge and Carl Rudd, in competition for the half-back roles.
The 28-year-old was NL2 Blackpool’s joint second leading try-scorer last term, with seven in 28 appearances.
“I’ve always felt he was the best player in a side that always struggled,” said coach Ged Stokes.
“He’s very quick and adds a slightly different dimension to our other halves. He wants to see how he goes in this division.
“It’s a bit of a punt, but having seen him for the past two or three years, it’s not a major one.
“He has a Rob Burrow style in that he has the same physique and qualities, targeting the big blokes with footwork.
“He’s quite explosive over 10 or 15 metres, and you always look for that in a half-back. The signing is adding to competition for places, which is important.”
Long-serving Gambles featured off the bench when the Panthers ended a 46-match losing streak with a 24-20 win over Workington Town last month.
He will be ineligible for Haven’s Challenge Cup tie at Wigan on Monday night.
