By Martin Morgan

Published at 11:41, Thursday, 10 July 2008

WHITEHAVEN’S game against Celtic Crusaders next week has been brought forward by 75 minutes so it can be shown live on TV – the bad news is that the commentary will be in Welsh!

Ade Adebisi

The match on Saturday week will now kick off at 4.15pm and be broadcast on S4C, the Welsh language channel, which can be accessed through satellite TV.

The earlier start will mean the official fans’ transport will leave the Recre at a yawn-inducing 6am on the day, for the trip which can take up to seven hours, depending on motorway traffic.

Haven welcomed the new kick-off time as it means their travelling fans will be able to get home earlier.

“The earlier the kick-off time the better for those fans travelling home that night,” said a spokesman. “They could be home by midnight.

“But playing on a Saturday, and Friday, as we are tomorrow at Sheffield, isn’t ideal for a club like ourselves where most of the lads have jobs.

“I failed to see why we were kicking off at 5.30pm when we had so far to travel. But when TV stepped in the change was made.”

Many Haven fans are expected to stay in south Wales overnight after the match.

Meanwhile, Sheffield could welcome back three senior players tomorrow (8pm).

Hooker Paul Pickering, centre Richard Newlove and back-row forward Ged Corcoran, all missed the defeat at Leigh Centurions.

Haven, in sixth, need three points at the Don Valley to guarantee they maintain a play-off place.

Widnes and Batley, who clash tomorrow, both trail Haven by two points, and the Vikings have a superior points difference to the Cumbrians.

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